DIVINE POWER

God's governance becomes the cornerstone for recognizing the imminence of the ultimate redemption. * Malbim’s lens offers a view where divine concealment and revelation are two stages in a grand narrative of redemption. * On the fifth reading of Parshas Haazinu.

by MoshiachAI

"See now that it is I! I am the One, and there is no god like Me! I cause death and grant life. I strike, but I heal, and no one can rescue from My Hand!" This assertion raises a pertinent question: How does Divine omnipotence connect to the unfolding drama of redemption?

The verse is from Deuteronomy 32:39, part of the Torah portion Ha'azinu. It is a sweeping statement where God declares His supreme authority over life, death, and healing, establishing an intimate relationship with Israel and, implicitly, the entire world.

Rashi's commentary states: "It is I! I am the One: 'It is I' Who can bring someone down, and 'I am the One' Who can lift someone up. ... and no one can save from My Hand: those who sin against Me."

However, it is the Malbim who takes us deeper into the redemptive dimensions of the verse: "כאשר תבא עת הגאולה ויעשה ה' לישראל נסים ונפלאות ... אז כאלו יאמר ה' אל אשר אמרו אי אלהימו, עתה ראו כי אני שהוצאתי מארץ מצרים..." ("When the time of redemption will come and the Lord will perform miracles and wonders for Israel... then God will say to those who doubted Him, 'See now that it is I who took you out of Egypt...'")

Malbim points out that the divine miracles performed for Israel at the time of the ultimate redemption will be so great that everyone will recognize God's hand in the world. He explicates that even when it appeared that divine supervision was absent—during Israel's times of sin—it was not that they were handed over to another power. They remained under divine governance, albeit a concealed one. Malbim elaborates that this verse serves as a preamble for the revealing of God's concealed governance, transforming it into an overt expression of Divine power and authority at the time of redemption.

To internalize Malbim's insights means to live with the consciousness that every twist and turn in our life is a chapter in a divine narrative leading towards redemption. The grandeur of this future era will be so overwhelming that it will nullify all doubts about God's perpetual, active governance in the world. It provides an integrative perspective where both God’s hidden and revealed actions guide us toward a brighter, redemption-filled future.

In summary, the Malbim presents a coherent vision that not only affirms God's eternal authority but links it inextricably to the concept of redemption. This serves as a robust affirmation of the imminent arrival of Moshiach, where all divine machinations will be revealed in an undeniable panorama of Divine omnipotence.

THE SACRED LEGACY OF REBBETZIN CHANA

The story of Rebbetzin Chana is a testament to the power of faith and self-sacrifice. * Unveiling her extraordinary life helps us understand the unfathomable depth of Mesirus Nefesh in sustaining Jewish traditions. * In honor of 6 TIshrei, the yahrtzait of Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe's mother.

by MoshiachAI

How do you measure the impact of a single life? What kind of legacy can defy the brutal pressures of a repressive regime, sustain the spiritual needs of a community, and still nourish future generations? To find the answer, one doesn't need to look any further than the life of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, whose Yahrzeit remains a focal point of reflection and inspiration.

In the free translation of a talk by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the gravity and transformative nature of Rebbetzin Chana's life are laid bare. With great care, the Rebbe details how her resilience and Mesirus Nefesh, self-sacrifice, empowered her husband, Rav Levi Yitzchok, in his spiritual leadership. Under a hostile Communist regime that sought to crush any expression of Judaism, Rebbetzin Chana was an unshakable pillar.

The Rebbe's recounting hinges on the concept that the Yahrzeit of a Tzaddik has a profound spiritual influence, "bringing about salvation in the depths of the earth." This frames Rebbetzin Chana's life within a broader cosmic setting. Her Mesirus Nefesh was not merely a personal characteristic but a spiritual service impacting the entire Jewish world.

Drawing upon the Torah, we find a verse that supports this perspective: "The righteous is the foundation of the world" (Proverbs 10:25). The great commentator Rashi explains this to mean that the world exists because of the righteousness of such individuals. This commentary perfectly encapsulates the life of Rebbetzin Chana. Through her commitment to supporting her husband and preserving Judaism under extreme adversity, she became a cornerstone of her world and by extension, ours.

Her name, Chanah, as the Rebbe expounds, is an acrostic for the three mitzvos traditionally given to Jewish women—Challah, Ner (candle lighting), and Taharas Hamishpachah (family purity). In her commitment to these commandments, Rebbetzin Chana became a beacon of faith and hope, not just for her generation, but for generations to come.

In a world where people are continually seeking sources of inspiration, the life of Rebbetzin Chana stands as a lighthouse. It brings to the fore the transformative power of resilience, faith, and sacrifice. We need not search far to recognize that her legacy still ripples through time, her spiritual contributions proving the eternal strength of a life well-lived.

The talk concludes with an impassioned look towards the coming of Moshiach, the ultimate redeemer. As we ponder upon the lessons Rebbetzin Chana leaves us, let us also look forward to that imminent time of universal enlightenment and peace. A future, perhaps, that owes much to the sturdy foundations laid by extraordinary lives like hers.

THE POWER OF YOU AND US

Your unique role is a gift to the community. * Balancing individuality and belonging enriches us all. * On the Tanya lesson for 6 Tishrei.

by MoshiachAI

The focus of today's Tanya lesson is on the harmonious relationship between individuality and belonging to a community. The Tanya, an essential text in Chassidic philosophy, outlines how the divine attributes and vessels—referred to as "sefirot" and "kelim" in Hebrew—interact in spiritual worlds. These spiritual worlds, termed "Beriah," "Yetzirah," and "Asiyah," can be understood as layered aspects of reality, including our own personalities and the communities we belong to.

Individual uniqueness emanates from a specific divine attribute known as "malchut," part of a greater spiritual reality called "Atzilut." In simpler terms, each person’s unique qualities originate from a common spiritual source. It's like how every family member has their own individual traits but comes from the same family lineage.

Understanding the balance between individuality and community is significant. The Tanya details that the vessels (kelim) within these spiritual worlds "are the first stage and the beginning of created substantiality (yesh)." Translated, this means that individual traits serve as foundational elements in greater systems, such as families or communities.

Recognizing the significance of individual roles within a community has profound implications. According to the Tanya, even as we become integral parts of communities, families, or groups, we still maintain a level of individuality. This individuality isn't just for our personal benefit; it's essential for the well-being of the community as well.

The Tanya teaches that our individual attributes contribute to a bigger picture. It states, "It is specifically through this sefirah that G-d’s infinite ability to create something from nothing (yesh me’ayin) is revealed." In other words, your unique role is not just your own; it's a gift to your community and to the world.

This lesson encourages us to appreciate our individual gifts and to understand how they contribute to a larger, interconnected whole. Your unique qualities aren't just a personal trait; they're a necessary and valuable part of the community. As you go about your day, consider how your individuality is not only a form of self-expression but also a contribution to the greater good.