|
by Rabbi E. Tauger
Kislev
A Month
When Focus is Placed on the Human Mind
For centuries, the month of Kislev has been
associated with the holiday of Chanukah, a festival celebrating
the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks that granted independence
to the land of Israel. And in the last few centuries, the month
became associated with a second holiday, Yud-Tes Kislev, which commemorates
the release of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad
Chassidus, from prison in Czarist Russia.
The two holidays share a common denominator for the spiritual dimension
of both of them focuses on the efforts to elevate our thinking processes
and direct them toward holiness.
A Spiritual War
We see this concept reflected by the Greeks'
activities after they conquered the Temple and entered that holy
site. One of the factors singled out by our Sages is that the Greeks
made the oil of the Temple impure. Now why would they want to do
that? If they wanted to prevent the Jews from using the oil, they
could have used it, destroyed it, or poured it out. What purpose
did they have in making it impure?
It is explained that oil, the fuel used to kindle the lights of
the Menorah in the Sanctuary, is an analogy for wisdom. The Greeks
did not want to destroy the Jews' wisdom, quite the contrary, they
respected culture and knowledge. What they wanted was to integrate
Jewish knowledge with their own, that the Menorah should burn, but
its light should have a "Greek touch", that Jewish wisdom
be divested of the purity and holiness that G-d intended for it.
They were willing to allow the Jews to study the Torah, provided
they would view it as a mere intellectual discipline, forgetting
about their connection with G-d, the Torah's Author.
This was the issue that spurred the Maccabee's rebellion. Certainly,
it was also a war of independence, one that brought the Jews autonomy
for approximately 200 years. But the fundamental issue was a spiritual
one. Indeed, the Jews themselves were split, with many - those concerned
primarily with their material prosperity and social position - supporting
the Greeks over their brethren. For within the Jews themselves,
there was conflict concerning the role of intellect. Was it to serve
as a tool to enhance man's spirituality? Or was its purpose merely
to find effective means of obtaining satisfaction and benefit?
Whom Are We Serving?
The Maccabees' message was that man should
use his mind for the purpose of holiness. Everything G-d created
was brought into being to be used for His service. Certainly, this
applies with regard to thought, the most elevated of our human potentials.
With our minds, we can create, bringing into being works of ark
and literature, build useful structures, and make scientific breakthroughs
(i.e., all the things the Greeks did). But what is the purpose of
these activities? Are we acting for our own sake or for G-d's?
Our minds are the most precious resource we have. And that is precisely
the crux of the issue. Should the mind - and together with it, the
rest of our conscious powers - be devoted to arriving at a deeper
devotion to G-d and a more inclusive dedication to his purpose?
Or should it be looking out for its own happiness and welfare?
The Maccabees teach us to rise above self-interest, indeed, to be
willing to sacrifice all self-interest towards the sake of a higher
goal. There they were: a small group of priests, unlearned in warfare,
challenging the world's strongest military power. And yet they were
successful, because when a person dedicates himself to G-d's purpose,
G-d responds, granting him triumphs beyond the highest of his expectations.
Expanding Intellect
Yud-Tes Kislev contributes a deeper dimension
to this lesson, teaching that the mind can be a medium to spiritual
powers that transcend intellect. Chanukah emphasizes that we must
use our minds for the purpose of holiness. Nevertheless, our minds
remain limited, mortal potentials, dedicated to G-d, but unable
to grasp Him in His infinity. Even when we study the Torah, G-d's
wisdom and thought, we are able to comprehend it only as it is enclothed
in human concepts. Simply put, the Talmud will speak about an ox
goring a cow, two people arguing about the ownership of a discovered
object, or the way to compose a promissory note so that it will
stand up in court. Now ultimately, these teachings are spiritual
truths and bring us into connection with G-d. Nevertheless, on the
surface and in a revealed manner, they are worldly matters that
human intellect can understand. Indeed, we have difficulty appreciating
their spiritual nature.
On the surface, how can it be otherwise? How can a finite man comprehend
an infinite G-d? Indeed, by definition, infinity defies all comprehension.
And yet, G-d allows - moreover, desires - that man comprehend Him.
This is the import of Yud-Tes Kislev. For centuries, such spiritual
knowledge was hidden from mankind at large, being revealed only
to a select mystic elite. In the 1500's, the saintly Ari, Rabbi
Yitzchak Luria, declared that it was a mitzvah to reveal this wisdom.
And the founding of the Chassidic movement by the Baal Shem Tov
expanded this sphere of knowledge even further. Nevertheless, even
in his era, there was no systematic program for mankind at large
to gain this awareness.
Two generations afterwards, R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi began formulating
and propagating a system of teachings with precisely this intent.
He taught how the infinite, G-dly powers of the soul can permeate
the mind and expand its potential, allowing it to internalize G-dly
knowledge.
At first, there was an outcry against this in the spiritual realms.
The heavenly forces complained that the world was not ready for
such revelations. Due to that outcry, R. Shneur Zalman was imprisoned.
Conversely, his release was a sign from Above that this complaint
was not accepted and these teachings could be spread.
Preparing for the Future
One might question the spiritual chronology.
Why was this knowledge hidden for the greater portion of human history
and revealed scarcely two centuries ago?
One of the answers given is that the era of Mashiach is compared
to the Shabbos. During the entire week, we are involved in our business
affairs and do not think so much of the Shabbos. But on Friday,
we begin focusing on the preparations for that holy day and by Friday
afternoon, we can - and indeed, we are halachicly required to -
taste the foods cooked for the Shabbos.
Similarly, the six millennia of the world's recorded history refer
to the six days of the week and the Shabbos, to the fast approaching
era of Mashiach. What will characterize the era of Mashiach? "The
earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d." Hence the
period preceding that era is to be characterized by preparations
for this revelation. And by R. Shneur Zalman's time, it was possible
to have a foretaste of the revelations of that future era.
The revelation of these teachings was not intended merely for our
benefit, to give us a preview of the spiritual content of that future
era. Instead, the intent is that the dissemination of these teachings
will serve as a catalyst, making the world ready for the time when
this awareness will spread throughout all existence.
Presently the dissemination of these teachings is even more urgent
due to fact that we are standing on the threshold of the ultimate
G-dly revelation filling the earth with His knowledge.
back to top
|
|
Telling
Tales
As mentioned above, Kislev
is associated with R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad
Chassidus. It is also associated with his son and successor, R.
Dovber, for his birthday and yahrzeit are commemorated in this month.
Hence, we would like to share the accompanying story which involves
both of them.
The Alter Rebbe, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, lived
in the bottom story of a two-story home in Liadi. His son, later
to become the Mitteler Rebbe, lived on the upper floor.
Once the Mitteler Rebbe's son fell out of the cradle in which he
was sleeping and began to cry. The Mitteler Rebbe was so absorbed
in his studies, he did not even hear the baby's cries.
The Alter Rebbe was also studying. Nevertheless, he heard the baby
and went upstairs to calm him. Afterwards, he reprimanded his own
son. "How could you leave the baby crying?"
The Mitteler Rebbe had what he thought was a legitimate excuse and
explained to his father that he simply hadn't heard. He had been
so enwrapped in the subject he was studying that he was oblivious
to everything else.
The Alter Rebbe refused to accept the excuse. "You should never
be so involved in your own spiritual endeavors that you fail to
hear the cry of a Jewish child," he told his son.
When the Rebbe repeated this story, he explained that there are
children who cry out because of physical discomfort and others whose
pain is spiritual. Sometimes, the child himself may not consciously
know that he is in pain. We must, however, listen carefully and
heed his call. We should never be so involved in our own spiritual
refinement that we remain insensitive to the cries of others.
back to top
|
|
Torah
readings of the month
Parshas Toldos
Commenting on the verse from
our Torah reading: "Yitzchak sowed in that land," our
Sages state: "Did Yitzchak sow grain? Heaven forbid. Instead,
he took one tenth of all of his resources and sowed charity, as
it is written: 'And sow charity for yourselves.'"
The commentaries explain that the intent was that since our Patriarchs
were shepherds, wandering from place to place, we cannot interpret
the verse simply, that Yitzchak planted crops. Instead, we must
look for a figurative explanation, that he sowed charity. This explanation
is somewhat problematic. Firstly, there are interpretations that
Yitzchak indeed sowed grain. But primarily, even if the verse is
to be interpreted figuratively, why must the simply interpretation
be negated so strongly? Why the expression "Heaven forbid"?
These questions lead to the understanding that our Sages' statement
must be interpreted differently. They are emphasizing that although
our Patriarchs performed physical activities, their intent was focused
entirely on the spiritual. "The Patriarchs represent the Divine
chariot. All of their limbs were holy and detached from matters
of this world… throughout their lives." Just like a chariot
has no will of its own, so, too, the Patriarchs' will was totally
subsumed to G-d's. Thus although Yitzchak actually sowed grain,
Heaven forbid, to say he had any intent but to give charity.
Parshas VaYeitzei
Yaakov's journey to Charan
serves as an analogy for the descent of our souls into our bodies.
In the spiritual realm, our souls experience direct revelations
of G-dliness. Nevertheless, they "go out" from that realm
and descend into bodies to live in this material world. Following
the pattern set by our Patriarch Yaakov, every soul confronts the
challenge of physical existence and must maintain its spiritual
integrity.
As a person matures, like Yaakov in our Torah reading, he establishes
a family, creating an environment in which his values are expressed.
Similarly, through his efforts to earn a livelihood and achieve
financial wellbeing, he refines and elevates the G-dly life-force
invested in creation, carrying the individual mission with which
his soul has been charged.
This pattern is also reflected in the exiles of the Jewish people
at large. Our people have been forced to leave the holiness of Eretz
Yisrael and journey among the nations. Throughout the centuries,
despite the challenges presented by the societies in which we dwelt,
we have held true to our spiritual heritage, have maintained a tradition
of family life, and have elevated the material substance of the
world, showing how it is G-d's dwelling.
Parshas VaYishlach
The name of this week's Torah
reading, VaYishlach, relates to the word shliach, meaning "agent."
The Hebrew word shliach also alludes to the consummation of the
mission with which the Jewish people as a whole and every individual
Jew has been charged. For the word's numerical equivalent, together
with the number 10, equals the numerical equivalent of the word
Mashiach. This implies that Mashiach's coming requires that every
person dedicate the ten powers of his soul to the mission of making
the world a dwelling for G-d. Our efforts to spread the awareness
of G-d throughout the world and have that awareness permeate every
individual will precipitate the coming of the age when "the
earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover
the ocean bed."
Parshas VaYeishev
On the beginning verse of our
Torah reading: "And Yaakov settled in the land of his father's
wandering," Rashi comments: "Yaakov desired to dwell in
prosperity, but the distress of Yosef's [disappearance] beset him.
The righteous desire to dwell in prosperity, but the Holy One, blessed
be He, says: 'Is not what is prepared for them in the World to Come
enough for the righteous? Must they also desire prosperity in this
world?'"
On the surface, Rashi appears to be saying that G-d disapproved
of Yaakov's request and in retribution made him suffer the difficulty
of separation from Yosef. Our Rabbis explain, however, that in truth
G-d wanted Yaakov's wish for prosperity to be fulfilled - as it
was indeed fulfilled in the 17 years of prosperity which he enjoyed
in Egypt. Such prosperity must be earned by an appropriate measure
of Divine service and Yaakov in his current state was not worthy
to receive such a great reward. Hence, G-d subjected him to a further
trial through which he could advance himself. The travail and sorrow
caused by the sale of Yosef initiated a process of refinement by
which Yaakov ultimately merited to attain the spiritual and material
prosperity he sought.
back to top
|
Dates of the Month
1 Kislev - A day of
thanksgiving, celebrating the Rebbe's return to health in 5738
9 Kislev - The Mitteler Rebbe's birthday and yahrzeit
10 Kislev - The anniversary of the Mitteler Rebbe's release
from prison
14 Kislev - The Rebbe's wedding anniversary
19-20 Kislev - Yud-Tes Kislev; the anniversary of the Alter
Rebbe's release from prison; the yahrzeit of the Maggid of Mezeritch
20 Kislev - The anniversary of the printing of the Tanya
25 Kislev - First day of Chanukah
back to top
|
|
