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Iggeres HaT’shuva: End of Chapter Four, Tammuz 16, 5775

Iggeres HaT’shuva: End of Chapter Four, Tammuz 16, 5775

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So far the Alter Rebbe explained how Hashem has 10 faculties (sfiros) which He chose to create and manage all of existence. The Alter Rebbe also explained how these 10 faculties (sfiros) are manifest in the four letters of His name, Havaye. Today the Alter Rebbe explains:  Since: a. Our soul was breathed into us by G-d (Havaye). b. One who exhales, does so from within. Then: c. Our soul contains the same 10 faculties that Havaye has (“hamavdil havdolos l’ein…

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Inspiration and T’shuva

Inspiration and T’shuva

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The Rebbe Rashab explains in the first ma’amer of Samach Vov, that there is a difference between r’usa d’liba (awakening of the heart, inspiration) and t’shuva (return). He explains that the difference lies in the approach. Inspiration is a result of realizing that one is in the presence of something greater, namely G-d, and wanting to be a part of this greater being. T’shuva on the other hand is a result of realizing how far one is from G-d followed…

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Binah/ Hei Ila’ah/ Ima

Binah/ Hei Ila’ah/ Ima

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Binah is usually translated as “understanding.” Binah is a type of cognition where limitation happened. Binah is analysis, breaking a creative idea (chochma) apart to get to the details while building a map. “Meyvin dovor mitoch dovor,” or “understanding one thing from something else,” is a characteristic of binah. Binah is also described in many places as “giluy hahellem,” or discovery. Binah is related to the first or higher hei of G-d’s name, Havaye. This is because it breaks apart…

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Iggeres HaT’Shuva: Middle of Chapter Four- Tammuz 15, 5775

Iggeres HaT’Shuva: Middle of Chapter Four- Tammuz 15, 5775

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Previously, the Alter Rebbe explained that the soul is a “piece” of G-d. His name, Havaye, is a label by which we refer to Him, but also connotes the manner of His expression; how we relate. Well G-d created ten “garments” by which He expresses Himself and manages the creation. Each letter of Havaye, His name, is an expression: 1. The thorn on the yud is His will, because it is the tag or kesser of yud. 2. The yud is…

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Yud/ Chochma/ Abba

Yud/ Chochma/ Abba

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Like the shape of it’s font implies, yud is a point, a seed. It usually, if not always, refers to chochma. Chochma is usually translated as wisdom, but in Chassidus, it is usually referring to creative thought, or openness of the mind. An example of a manifestation of chochma is how the Rabbeim describe it. They call it, “borok hamavrik,” the flash of lightening. In the language of the prophet, “Chochma me’ayin timotze,” in English, “from where does wisdom come?”…

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Da’as Elyon / Da’as Tachton

Da’as Elyon / Da’as Tachton

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This translation won’t cut it, but will have to do. Da’as elyon, or consciousness, is how existence is viewed pre-tzimtzum. Da’as tachton consciousness,is how we see the world, post-tzimtzum. For example in very small terms: da’as elyon is what you know and want to share, da’as tachton is what your friend hears you saying.

Right, Left and Center Columns

Right, Left and Center Columns

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The right, left and center columns refer to a certain manner in which the sefiros relate to each other. The right column (chochma, chessed, netzach) are characterized by an outward expression, or hispashtus. The left column (binah, g’vura, hod) is characterized by limitation, discipline, and tzimtzum. The right column reflects masculinity. The left column reflects femininity. The middle column reflects the Infinite One who is the only one who can make opposites attract and remain united actually as one. See Z”a.

Kesser/ Kotzo Shel Yud (the thorn on the yud)/ Hishtalshelus HaK’ssorim

Kesser/ Kotzo Shel Yud (the thorn on the yud)/ Hishtalshelus HaK’ssorim

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Kesser means “crown” and is defined as: 1. The initial revelation of light after the tzimtzum. This means, the initial point where we’re no longer in essence or core, but in expression or extraversion. It is the skull, or cranium (from the word crown) relative to the brain. 2.Kesser creates, so to speak, something from nothing. Kesser takes the initial expression which is beyond recognition and brings it into a recognizable state. Imagine your mind is blank cleared of all…

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Wage War With Love (but first know who you love)

Wage War With Love (but first know who you love)

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This sicha can be found in Likkutei Sichos, Cheilek Beis, p. 338 I. Bil’om and Amoleik It says in sforim(1), that there is a connection between Bil’om and Amoleik. The remez: If we write the names Bil’om and Amoleik on two lines, one above the other, the right half of the two words read (from the top down), “Bil’om”: the “beis-lammed” from Bil’om, and “ayin-mem” from Amoleik. The left side of the words read (from the top down: the “ayin-mem” from…

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Iggeres HaT’Shuva: Middle of Chapter Four; Tammuz 14, 5775

Iggeres HaT’Shuva: Middle of Chapter Four; Tammuz 14, 5775

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Continuing on the subject of returning the higher and lower “hei’s” of Havaye, the Alter Rebbe explains how and what the nature is of our being. We are a piece of G-d Himself and He blew within us a the soul of life. When one blows, it is from within, indicating to us the depth of our relationship with Hashem–we’re connected at the core.