Chapter 21 – Part 1

Video is also available – click to open והנה מדת הקב״ה שלא כמדת בשר ודם Now1 the nature of the Divine order is not like that of a human being, a creature of flesh and blood. Therefore human terms cannot adequately describe Divine qualites. Thus in our case: שהאדם כשמדבר דבור, הרי הבל הדבור שבפיו […]

Chapter 21 – Part 2

Video is also available – click to open והרי דבורו ומחשבתו כביכול מיוחדות עמו בתכלית היחוד, דרך משל כמו דבורו ומחשבתו של אדם בעודן בכח חכמתו ושכלו Thus, G‑d’s speech and thought are united with Him in absolute union, just like the speech and thought of man before he actually expresses them as speech and […]

Chapter 22 – Part 1

Video is also available – click to open In the previous chapter the Alter Rebbe contrasted human speech and Divine speech. He pointed out that human speech is marked by two characteristics: (1) it reveals to the hearer that which was previously hidden in the speaker’s thoughts; (2) the spoken word becomes a distinct entity, […]

Chapter 22 – Part 2

Video is also available – click to open והנה רצון העליון בבחינת פנים הוא מקור החיים המחיה את כל העולמות Now, the Supernal Will, of the quality of “Countenance”, i.e., the inner aspect of G‑d’s Will, which is directed toward the ultimate object of G‑d’s desire, is the source of life which animates all worlds. […]

Chapter 23 – Part 1

Video is also available – click to open In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe explained that from G‑d’s perspective nothing is ever separate from Him. For the Divine “Word” which creates everything is unlike a word spoken by a human being. The latter becomes separated from the speaker, while the former remains always within […]

Chapter 23 – Part 2

Video is also available – click to open The Alter Rebbe has thus far discussed two levels of union with the Divine Will, one analogous to the chariot and its rider, and the second, to the unity of body and soul. Both these levels of unity are achieved by performing the mitzvot. He now goes […]

Chapter 24 – Part 1

Video is also available – click to open In ch. 18 the Alter Rebbe began to explain how it is very near and accessible to each of us to serve G‑d out of a feeling of love and awe, by means of awakening the hidden love latent in us all. To clarify how this hidden […]

Chapter 24 – Part 2

Video is also available – click to open אבל באמת לאמיתו, אפילו עבירה קלה, הרי העוברה עובר על רצון העליון, ברוך הוא In truth, however, even he who commits a minor sin transgresses the Divine Will, והוא בתכלית הפירוד מיחודו ואחדותו יתברך, יותר מסטרא אחרא וקליפה הנקראת אלקים אחרים ועבודה זרה ממש, ויותר מכל הדברים […]

Chapter 24 – Part 3

Video is also available – click to open ומה שפיקוח נפש דוחה שאר עבירות וגם יעבור ואל יהרג True, we find a principle that saving a life overrides other prohibitions though not the prohibition of idolatry; so too the law sometimes calls for one to commit a transgression rather than be killed, whereas with idolatry, […]

Chapter 25 – Part 1

Video is also available – click to open In this chapter the Alter Rebbe concludes the discussion begun in ch. 18. There, he began to explain the verse, “For this thing is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it,” meaning that to serve G‑d out of […]