ועוד זאת אדרוש ממעלתכם Furthermore, I earnestly ask of my esteemed listeners On the above matters between man and G‑d, the Alter Rebbe referred to himself as merely “repeating reminders.” Here, however, as he begins to speak of the relationship between man and man, he uses stronger terms. שלא להשליך דברי אחריכם, אשר ערכתי שיח […]

In the letter that follows, the Alter Rebbe urges chassidim to devote the daily interval between Minchah and Maariv to the group study of Ein Yaakov, and to the laws in the Shulchan Aruch that have frequent and practical application. He introduces this appeal by explaining how sublime is the Divine Presence that dwells within […]

אבל ההשראה Indwelling, however, i.e., that degree of indwelling of which it is written that “the Shechinah dwells among them,” היא הארה עצומה מאור ה׳, המאיר בה בלי גבול ותכלית is an intense radiation from the light of G‑d, that radiates in it — within the soul itself, and not within its inherently limited faculties […]

על כן, אהובי אחיי ורעיי, אל נא תרעו הרעה הגדולה הזאת Therefore, my beloved ones, my brethren and friends: do not commit this great evil — of turning a gathering of worshipers before or after prayers into a “company of scoffers,” ותנו כבוד לה׳ אלקיכם בטרם יחשך, דהיינו בין מנחה למעריב כל ימות החול and58 […]

In the previous letter the Alter Rebbe explained how the Torah study of a group of at least ten, or a mitzvah performed by them collectively, brings about the indwelling of the Shechinah. He spoke of how even those who engage in the avodah of prayer sometimes spend the time before and after prayers in […]