Opposites Attract

When examining Yiddishkeit we realize that it is based on a host of paradoxes.

Paradoxes testify to the existence of an essential element that transcends the two opposites.

Hashem, therefore, represents the ultimate paradox. And the closer something is to Hashem the more it will reflect that paradoxical nature. 

Therefore, Torah, which is Hashem’s wisdom, is a paradox because it brings together heaven and earth, body and soul.

Torah is from Heaven, but as the Talmud states, it is not in Heaven, and matters of Jewish law have to be determined by the earthly Sages.

Mitzvos are expressions of Hashem’s will and they possess a paradoxical property, for they are physical actions that connect us to a transcendent G-d. The Jew is the ultimate enigma because he is in this world and yet always considered an outsider.

Chassidus brings this paradoxical nature of Torah into greater focus, because it highlights the spiritual even as it stresses the preeminence of the body.

The ideal Jew, indeed, the ideal human being is the one who is well balanced and who incorporates the opposites in a seamless way; where the paradoxical features of his life do not conflict

The Rebbe, as the definitive teacher of Torah and leader of the Jewish people, embodies the idea of paradox in so many different ways and so elegantly and eloquently personified the paradox.

How does one combine so many paradoxical traits and accomplishments?

The answer is that when on is connected to the Yechidah, the essence of one’s soul, which has the most unadulterated connection to G-d’s very essence, there are no contradictions; for everything flows from that singularity. Our task is to emulate the Rebbe’s paradoxical approach.

While shattered by every second of Moshiach’s delay, the Rebbe revealed joy in the imminence of his coming.

The Rebbe would cry out to Hashem, Ad Masai - how much longer?! The Rebbe would encourage us to cry out with sincerity for every moment that we are in exile.

Yet the Rebbe spoke of how we are already seeing the miracles associated with the Redemption and that Moshiach has already begun to have an impact on the world. The Rebbe emphasized the role of joy in this period; rejoicing for these miracles and the imminence of the Redemption.

The Rebbe was able to fuse the greatest cry of pain with the greatest joy, and maintained that we are all capable of mastering this paradox because we have a Divine soul, which can tolerate opposites. ■