ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH RADICALLY INCREASING IN TORAH STUDY
October 28, 2014Prior to the Rebbe Rayatz’s histalkus in 5710, he emphasized the concept of chayim nitzchiim, eternal life. The Rebbe MH”M points out the profound significance of the topics a Rebbe discusses in his final sichos delivered in this world: they serve as instructions for how to proceed in the wake of his histalkus. In Chapter 7 of Likkutei Mekoros, author Rabbi Shloma Majeski cites further reference in the final sichos the Rebbe delivered regarding eternal life.
Translated by Boruch Merkur
8. […] Adam HaRishon was created on Friday, the Sixth Day, “in order that he could immediately enter into (and be prepared for) the [Shabbos] meal” (Sanhedrin 38a with the commentary of Rashi). Here “Sixth Day” alludes to the Sixth Millennium, when everything is prepared for the feast of the Leviasan and the Shor HaBar, “a day that is entirely Shabbos (rest), tranquility, and eternal life.”
The discussion above (concerning the 15th day of a month and the 15th of Av (which comes out this year on) the Sixth Day, Friday) underscores the bli g’vul, the infinitude of the true and complete redemption (signified by a doubled term), which is expressed by the true perfection of all these matters coming together as one.
Now, the full moon occurs (on the fifteen of the month) in virtue of being fully exposed to the light of the sun. The ultimate fullness, however, will be in the Future Era, when the special qualities of both the sun and the moon are united: “the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, etc.”
Regarding the 15th of Menachem Av: The birth of Moshiach takes place precisely on the moment after the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, as taught in the Midrashim of our Sages: When the cow mooed the first time, the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed; when it mooed a second time, the savior and redeemer of the Jewish people was born. In fact, even after the redeemer matured and became an adult, the destruction continued and the exile was prolonged, lasting an extraordinary length of time. Here “gadlus – adulthood, greatness” is meant especially in the spiritual sense, “from his shoulders and up he is higher than the people” (i.e., being a king, all aspects of kingship apply to him; certainly this elevated status applies to Melech HaMoshiach, who is both a king and a rav). The intent of this extended destruction and exile is that there should be the complete redemption with the participation of both the Supernal and Lower realms, as well as the two realms as they come together as one.
All is now ready for the feast of the Future Era. Indeed, the perfection of the feast of the “day that is entirely Shabbos” (which is prepared for on the Sixth Day), in every respect, is on account of the perfection of bli g’vul, infinity, as emphasized also by the double term “tov – good” on the Sixth Day.
9. The concept of surpassing limitation is also underscored in the avoda of man that begins on the 15th of Av, as our Sages say, “From then on d’mosif yosif (one surely adds)”: “From the 15th of Av and on, one who spends more time in Torah study during the longer nights and shorter days, increases his longevity” (Taanis, end; commentary of Rashi):
“All Jews are presumed to be upstanding” and people who fulfill Mitzvos and learn Torah in scheduled Torah study sessions, “in accordance with the rule designated for each individual in the Laws of Torah Study.” Thus, it is understood that the primary and complete manner of adding in Torah study is by going beyond measure and limitation.
In this spirit, the Torah says in this week’s parsha, “b’chol meodecha – with all your might” – “meod shelcha – your might,” which is connected with the “meod ha’amiti – the true [i.e., Divine] might” (bli g’vul, infinity).
And this is the preparation for the true and complete increase in Torah study in a truly unlimited manner [in the Future Era] – “A new Torah shall emerge from Me” (as above in Section 6).
In this manner the perfection of “increases his longevity” is achieved in a manner that is beyond measure and limitation – eternal life.
(From the address of Shabbos Parshas VaEs’chanan, Shabbos Nachamu, 16 Menachem-Av; Seifer HaSichos 5751, pg. 744-745)
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