from the teachings of the Rebbe on the Torah portion
This week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, contains an account of the first marriage mentioned in the Torah. This marriage, between Isaac and Rivka, affected and is a lesson for the Jewish people as a whole, and indeed the future of the entire nation which was to follow.
In a spiritual sense, this union between the two progenitors of the Jewish nation, symbolizes the relationship between the two components of each individual--the body and the soul. Rivka was from Charan, a place which was primarily materialistic. Isaac, on the other hand, symbolizes the spiritual dimension, as he had already been consecrated as a "perfect offering" by his willingness to be sacrificed upon the altar. Their marriage epitomized the unity between these two contradictory concepts.
A Jew's soul, even when enclothed in a physical body, is totally at one with G-d, for it is "an actual part of G-d." The mission for which it is sent down into this corporeal world is to bring about a change in the material realm, elevating physical objects by performing mitzvot. This unity of the spiritual and the physical is achieved when the light of the soul is reflected within the body, and the body becomes nullified to the demands of the soul.
Ultimately, the unity achieved between body and soul should extend to the point that it is obvious that all of a person's activities are performed by both in tandem. Afterwards, this unity should be extended into the world at large, so as to encompass every dimension of existence in the entire world.
In this manner, the Jew acts as G-d's emissary, transforming the world into a dwelling place for G-dliness. Thus, the Jew becomes an extension of G-dliness, in the same way that an emissary shares a single purpose and a single identity with the one who sent him on his mission.
The ultimate goal of this unity between the spiritual and the physical is the Era of Redemption, when this unity will be open and apparent. Our task as Jews is to hasten this process by doing mitzvot and studying Torah, for it was the giving of the Torah which allowed for the possibility of such unity. Prior to the Torah's revelation on Mount Sinai, spirituality and physicality, body and soul, were two distinct entities which could not merge. When Moshiach comes, speedily in our day, the unity achieved through our Torah service will be revealed in the world at large and the union between body and soul will be consummated.
As the children of Isaac and Rivka, every dimension of our existence should therefore be permeated by the awareness of this Divine mission, to make this world a proper dwelling place for G-d.
From a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, 5752.
By Ezzy Morgenstern
Dear friends, brothers and sisters,
I am writing to you as I prepare for action together with my blood brothers, members of a reserve engineering corps attached to the Golani Brigade.
Since saying goodbye to my wife and kids on Simchat Torah, I’ve barely slept and have not had a proper meal; but I have never been so focused in my life.
G-d has handed us a mission, and with your support, we will do what we need to.
Like many American Jewish kids, I grew up with stories of morning services being disrupted early on Yom Kippur 1973, with trucks coming by, calling the men up to go to war.
Now that has become my story.
I am from New Jersey, now living with my wife and 8 kids in Yavniel, Israel.
Our sleepy town is somewhat isolated, and we had no idea that anything was amiss on Simchat Torah morning.
We came to the synagogue, started services, and were deep into kiddush and the ensuing festivities when a visitor told us that there had been an attack.
The rabbi said sadness would not help anyone, and that the greatest weapons we have against hatred and evil are love and joy.
But something told me that things were serious. So I ran home, turned on my phone (in a way permissible on the holiday in an emergency), and saw hundreds of messages, one telling me that our brigade would be meeting virtually in just two minutes.
The meeting was brief. We were told we were to report to duty ASAP and prepare for battle.
I ran to the synagogue to say goodbye to my kids, who were already hearing too much from the adults around them.
And I’ve been moving ever since. The movements are familiar. This is my fourth war. I’ve served in the Second Lebanon War, Operation Pillar of Defense, and Operation Protective Edge.
I want to share with you the advice I’ve been giving my men, since I believe these lessons are crucial for everyone, whether you wear a uniform or not.
KEEP POSITIVE
One of my men just asked me if I think Israel will survive. I told him that of course we will. What happened happened, and we have not yet begun to grapple with the enormity of the loss. But we know exactly what needs to be done now. We’ve done it before, and with G-d’s help, we will be more successful than ever before at disarming the evil men who wish to harm us.
Wars are fought with guns, but they are won or lost in the mind. Do not allow the enemy to win by demoralizing you. Don’t be sucked into a vortex of gory videos or doom-and-gloom reporting. It will do you no good. Instead, share hope, faith, and encouragement.
This is especially true when you are around children. You cannot change the facts on the ground, but you can choose how you (and they) experience them. In the timeless words of the third Rebbe of Chabad: “Think good, and it will be good!”
ADD SPIRITUAL LIGHT TO THE WORLD
Our sages teach that a little light dispels much darkness. I have encouraged my men to do the same. Most are glad to take up the challenge. If you are a Jewish man, put on tefillin. If you do not have a pair, your local Chabad rabbi will be more than happy to help you out.
Jewish women and girls, your Shabbat candles bring light and tranquility to the world. This Friday night (and every Friday) before sunset, light candles and restore some of the bright and shining souls that have been lost.
PRAY FOR US!
While our enemies call out G-d’s name as they perform the most evil atrocities, we pray to Him to end the bloodshed and restore peace. Recite a chapter of Psalms, pray for the residents of Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and the brave soldiers of the IDF.
And if you could have me in mind in your prayers—Ezzy Morgenstern, Zalman Halevi ben Sarah—I’d be most grateful.
May G-d grant us the ability to return home soon, bringing with us peace and security.
26 Cheshvan, 5784
November 10, 2023
