Summary and Lessons of the Maamar

Lessons in Likutay Torah | June 27, 2025

Summary and Lessons of the Maamar:

The name “Yehuda” represents “hodaa,” sincere inner devotion to Hashem. In our source in Hashem, we always experience this total selfless devotion to Hashem. But, in this world, our inner selfless devotion to Hashem is covered over by the animal soul and physicality. In order to reveal our inner devotion to Hashem, we need to go through the spiritual process of prayer and Torah study. This process corresponds to the first three “brothers” of Yehuda, which are Reuven, Shimon, and Levi.
Reuven is connected to “seeing,” which represents spiritually seeing the truth of Hashem’s existence and Individual Divine Providence, Hashgacha Pratis. This is connected to the first passage of Shema, where we focus on contemplating Hashem’s Oneness in such way that it brings us to feel love for Him. This happens when our knowledge of Hashem becomes so real to us that it is like something we actually “see” (in our mind’s eye).
Shimon represents “hearing” about Hashem’s True existence that is higher than can possibly be “seen” by him, even intellectually. This awareness of the transcend and exalted greatness of Hashem brings a person to fear Hashem. This fear helps a person guard himself from sin. This is connected to the second passage of the Shema, which discusses reward and punishment and the need to guard ourselves from sin through awakening a fear of Hashem.
Levi is the idea of “connection” of two opposites, such as physical and spiritual, which is accomplished through Torah study. The Torah is Hashem’s Wisdom, yet it descends into our world to teach us how to physically perform mitzvos. Because it has both elements, it has the ability to bridge the gap between physical and spiritual and connect us to Hashem even in the physical world. This is expressed in the blessing after Shema, of Emes Veyatziv, that discusses the truth, power, and sweetness of the Torah.
Now, all of these levels as they are found in the order of the prayers leading up to Shemona Esrai are focused on bringing down Hashem’s Light into Malchus, which is source of Hashem’s Light in our world, and from there into us. However, in Shemona Esrai, we become elevated to “become Malchus itself,” to enter the World of Atzilus and from there to connect to Hashem as He Encompasses all worlds. This is the ultimate state of “Yehuda,” total selfless devotion and transparency to Hashem.
Through reaching this higher state of “Yehuda,” selfless devotion and transparency to Hashem, we are then able to transform our material matters into Holiness. Since it is Hashem who put us into this world where we need to eat etc., it is certain that Hashem also gave us the power to transform our physical matters into Holiness.
However, we can only fully accomplish that transformation if we can overcome our passionate desire for physicality, and treat our physical needs as something that we reluctantly are required to deal with, without inner passion and excitement. The physical passion distracts the person and blocks his ability to transform it into holiness.
There are two things needed to bring the higher level of Yehuda, the selfless devotion to Hashem experienced in Shemona Esrai, into the entire day. These are: Torah study and merciful acts of kindness. These are two channels for Hashem’s Encompassing Light to shine in us throughout the day, so that we can continue to experience our true inner devotion even we are involved in physical matters.

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לזכות כל ילדי החסידים שיתנו חסידישע נחת לכ"ק אדמו"ר ולהוריהם שיחיו ולזכות יוסף יצחק בן ביילא איטא ולאה בת חנה דבורה רייזל וכל יוצאי חלציהם שיחיו, שיזכו ללמוד חסידות וליליך בדרכי החסידות, ויפוצו מעיינות אור החסידות

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in loving memory of
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Summary and Lessons of the Maamar:

The name “Yehuda” represents “hodaa,” sincere inner devotion to Hashem. In our source in Hashem, we always experience this total selfless devotion to Hashem. But, in this world, our inner selfless devotion to Hashem is covered over by the animal soul and physicality. In order to reveal our inner devotion to Hashem, we need to go through the spiritual process of prayer and Torah study. This process corresponds to the first three “brothers” of Yehuda, which are Reuven, Shimon, and Levi.
Reuven is connected to “seeing,” which represents spiritually seeing the truth of Hashem’s existence and Individual Divine Providence, Hashgacha Pratis. This is connected to the first passage of Shema, where we focus on contemplating Hashem’s Oneness in such way that it brings us to feel love for Him. This happens when our knowledge of Hashem becomes so real to us that it is like something we actually “see” (in our mind’s eye).
Shimon represents “hearing” about Hashem’s True existence that is higher than can possibly be “seen” by him, even intellectually. This awareness of the transcend and exalted greatness of Hashem brings a person to fear Hashem. This fear helps a person guard himself from sin. This is connected to the second passage of the Shema, which discusses reward and punishment and the need to guard ourselves from sin through awakening a fear of Hashem.
Levi is the idea of “connection” of two opposites, such as physical and spiritual, which is accomplished through Torah study. The Torah is Hashem’s Wisdom, yet it descends into our world to teach us how to physically perform mitzvos. Because it has both elements, it has the ability to bridge the gap between physical and spiritual and connect us to Hashem even in the physical world. This is expressed in the blessing after Shema, of Emes Veyatziv, that discusses the truth, power, and sweetness of the Torah.
Now, all of these levels as they are found in the order of the prayers leading up to Shemona Esrai are focused on bringing down Hashem’s Light into Malchus, which is source of Hashem’s Light in our world, and from there into us. However, in Shemona Esrai, we become elevated to “become Malchus itself,” to enter the World of Atzilus and from there to connect to Hashem as He Encompasses all worlds. This is the ultimate state of “Yehuda,” total selfless devotion and transparency to Hashem.
Through reaching this higher state of “Yehuda,” selfless devotion and transparency to Hashem, we are then able to transform our material matters into Holiness. Since it is Hashem who put us into this world where we need to eat etc., it is certain that Hashem also gave us the power to transform our physical matters into Holiness.
However, we can only fully accomplish that transformation if we can overcome our passionate desire for physicality, and treat our physical needs as something that we reluctantly are required to deal with, without inner passion and excitement. The physical passion distracts the person and blocks his ability to transform it into holiness.
There are two things needed to bring the higher level of Yehuda, the selfless devotion to Hashem experienced in Shemona Esrai, into the entire day. These are: Torah study and merciful acts of kindness. These are two channels for Hashem’s Encompassing Light to shine in us throughout the day, so that we can continue to experience our true inner devotion even we are involved in physical matters.

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Lessons in Likutay Torah | January 08, 2025