Understanding the Parsha according to the Rebbe ממ"ש

QUESTION: Moshe referenced the Heaven and the Earth as an allusion to the material blessings that would come for fulfillment of Torah and mitzvos. Are we not emphasizing spiritual rewards especially in this Tishrei season?

ANSWER: We need to understand the allusion of Heaven and Earth. A Jew needs to seek to serve G-d through the Heaven and Earth of one's soul. Heaven refers to one's “higher” functions of intellect and emotional attributes. Earth refers to one's “lower” functions of speech and deed. One can not obtain complete service with only one or the other of these functions. Thus, Moshe alluded to this concept that we need to serve G-d with both the “higher” and “lower” functions of our soul. (לקוטי שיחות כרך ד, עמ' 1154)

QUESTION: Moshe spoke from a position that was close to the Heavens and far from the Earth, yet Yeshiyahu spoke from a position that was close to the Earth and far from the Heavens. What is the lesson for us?

ANSWER: One that places emphasis in their life in learning Torah is “closer to Heaven”; whereas, the one that emphasizes doing Mitzvos is “closer to the Earth.” A person needs both levels in their life. At first, one must learn Torah and draw holiness into his life and stay far from the worldly matters. Afterwards, one must remember that the main goal of life is in service in this world, rectifying earthly matters, and thus at that time, one becomes “far from Heaven” and “closer to Earth." (לקוטי שיחות כרך ט, עמ' 204)

QUESTION: The main concept of the Song of HaAzinu is the connection between the Jew and HaShem. How do we understand that connection and how sins affect that connection?

ANSWER: The Alter Rebbe explains in Iggeres HaTeshuva that the soul connects a Jew with HaShem in three means. Each expresses a different type of connection and how sins affect that connection.

Three Types of Connections Between the Neshama and Its Source and How Sins Affect Them (אגרת התשובה)

Connection Type DescriptionEffect of SinsConnection Type (Hebrew)ויפח באפיו נשמת חייםBreath of connection constant need for breathBlocked by any sinהבלראשו אחד למעלה וקצהו למטהPart below drawn down from main part aboveSin tears the connection Issur kares cuts fully; other sins only partially tearחבל חיצוניותראשו אחד למעלה וראשו השני למטהTwo heads; bottom can draw top downSins, bad deeds, and bad thoughts all can drag down the top as wellחבל פנימיות

Nevertheless, the source remains connected to the inner part of the soul; thus, one can always do Teshuvah. (לקוטי שיחות כרך ט, עמ' 215)