A Lesson in the Service of Hashem from the Maamar
Our journey in life comes in many stages. But in every stage, there are two elements:
One is to reveal Hashem from Above to below. This means to learn Torah, to do mitzvos, and to teach Torah. By teaching Torah, we become elevated to an infinitely higher level. Just like Avraham connected to the Infinite Light of Hashem by bringing down the Lofty Wisdom into this world, so too, each and every one of us connects to Hashem on a much deeper level by sharing what we know with those that don’t. This is something every Jew is capable of. Like it says in the Shema: “ושננתם לבניך-and you shall teach them to your children,” the Gemara explains that this means one’s students. In other words, every Jew has students, every Jew has something to share with another Jew in some capacity. By bringing down Hashem’s Wisdom to someone who doesn’t have it, this connects the person to Hashem on an incomparably deeper level.
The second element is from below to Above. This means, that we need to find the Sparks of Holiness in all of all material matters. In our food, in our clothing, in our business transactions, in our recreational activities. We need to look for the connection to Hashem in everything in our physical life. By being mindful of that element of “trapped holiness,” and thinking about how we want to connect our physical life to Hashem, we are able to “redeem” these sparks of holiness.
How much more so, when we look at another person, we need to see the soul inside of them, waiting for an opportunity to come closer to Hashem. Every person we interact with we are able to affect in them a greater awareness of Hashem (for example, to get someone to say “Baruch Hashem” or “thank G-d”). This is the main elevation from below to Above, to connect whoever we can with Hashem, including with and starting with ourselves, our family, and our community, and in addition, all of our physical things.
