אך אמנם אמרו רז״ל: לעולם אל יוציא אדם עצמו מן הכלל Yet in fact, the Sages, of blessed memory, have said18 that “a man should never separate himself from the community.” לכן יתכוין ליחד ולדבקה בו יתברך, מקור נפשו האלקית ומקור נפשות כל ישראל Therefore he should intend to unite and attach to Him, blessed […]

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It has been previously noted that it is not enough to intend to unify one’s own soul with G‑d through the performance of Torah and mitzvot; one must also seek to unite the source of all the souls of Israel with the infinite Ein Sof-light. In point of fact, there is quite a difference between […]

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The Alter Rebbe will now go on to say that a Jew’s desire for his own soul to be united with its source is an utterly honest one, for every Jew possesses an innate love of G‑d. אבל יחוד נפשו והתכללותה באור ה׳ להיות לאחדים But the union of the person’s own soul with, and […]

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וכשלומד שעות הרבה רצופות, יש לו להתבונן בהכנה זו הנ״ל בכל שעה ושעה על כל פנים And when he studies for a number of consecutive hours he should reflect on the preparedness referred to above, at least at hourly intervals. כי בכל שעה ושעה היא המשכה אחרת מעולמות עליונים להחיות התחתונים, והמשכת החיות שבשעה שלפניה […]

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In the previous chapter the Alter Rebbe explained that fear of G‑d is a prerequisite to divine service. Every Jew is capable of attaining this level, by contemplating how “G‑d stands over him” and “searches his reins and heart [to see] if he is serving Him as is fitting.” This thought will lead him to […]

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