From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
In this week's Torah portion, Vayeisheiv, the Torah narrates the story of Judah and Tamar. "And it was told to Tamar, saying: 'Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah.'"
Why is it important for us to know that Judah was "going up" to Timnah? Why doesn't the Torah simply inform us that Judah was "going"?
As noted by Rashi, the foremost Torah commentator, in a later book of the Bible where the name of the city again appears, the association is one of descent rather than ascent. "And Samson went down to Timnah." From this we derive that Timnah was located on the slope of a mountain. A person approaching Timnah from below had to climb up; anyone approaching it from the top of the mountain had to walk downwards. When Tamar was told that her father-in-law was going up, it indicated which direction he was coming from.
When ascending a mountain, it is not a good idea to pause in mid-climb. Neither is a mountain slope an appropriate place to stop and rest. If a mountain climber stops in the middle, not only is he likely to lose momentum, but he also risks losing his footing and falling backward. When a person is headed upward, he must always go forward and persevere.
A Jew's Divine service is likened to climbing a mountain, as it states, "Who will ascend the mountain of the L-rd." When it comes to spiritual matters, one cannot be sluggish or take "time off." An individual who declares himself satisfied with the spiritual level he has already attained and does not strive for even higher levels will eventually lose his footing and tumble, like the mountaineer who decides to take a break in the middle of his climb.
When engaged in the service of G-d, it is impossible to remain in the same place. One must always make an effort to go from strength to strength. Merely "treading water" on the same level ultimately leads to spiritual regression and decline; lack of upward movement invariably results in a downward trend.
During Chanuka, it is customary to light an additional candle each night of the holiday, according to the principle of "increasing in holiness." If one evening we were to kindle the same number of lights as the previous day, it would indicate a state of spiritual decline or regression.
In matters of holiness, we must never content ourselves with yesterday's achievements. For the service of G-d requires perpetual upward motion.
Reprinted from the Parashat Vayeishev 5762/2001 edition of L’Chaim, a weekly publication of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn, NY. Adapted from Volume 10 of Likutei Sichot
