ABSTRACT לקוטי שיחות
- תוכן הענינים מ לקו"ש השבועי -
נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן
▪Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪
Knowing G-d
First one should study “knowing G-d” before all other matters of Torah. The Rambam reviews the general concepts of מעשה מרכבה ו מעשה בראשית (not so much as a means to love & fear G-d) but mainly to fulfill the first Mitzvah to know G-d.
לא תהי' לך (singular) allowed a defense for the Golden Calf, showing the preciousness of each Jew to G-d; thus, we are obligated to bring them closer. אנכי indicates acceptance of His Kingship, but does not exclude other activities. אשר הוצאתיך demands total subservience with all one’s existence (and is not attempting to show G-d’s credentials).
Responsibility to Non-Jews
Since the Jews received the Torah, they have a responsibility to direct non-Jews to accept their 7 Mitzvos, based on Matan Torah. Matan Torah affected an acceptance by the Jews of His Kingship and of His decrees, so non-Jews need to accept His Kingship and do their seven mitzvos since the Torah was given to Moshe at Har Sinai.
The Role of Women
Just as the redemption of Egypt was due to the merit of women, so will occur with the future Redemption. Moshe was commanded to give to the women the general principles and foundations of the Torah (the essence), and to give to the men only the particulars (a lower level); man is of the hour, but woman relate to the essence of time, transcending the particulars.
Shabbos and Mitzvos
Completion of all parts of Shabbos brings one great rewards. קדשהו בכניסתו וקדשהו ביציאתו Kiddush at the entrance of Shabbos adds the kedusha to Shabbos; similarly, by leaving, Havdalah expresses the drawing of the holiness of Shabbos into the week.
Purpose of Shabbos: Reveal the world as the one place of HaShem. From a little in the Torah about the structure of Shabbos, grows to a large amount in the rabbinical laws.
Moshe’s Role and Parental Honor
In the entire Torah Moshe at times added explanation and at times gave over in short; but these 3 verses Moshe was commanded to not change them at all.
Choice to be a shliach allows one to be a partner. This Mitzvah is one between Man and G-d; Parents can share the honor by being partners with G-d due to their exercise of free choice (we don’t honor other objects of Creation, since they do not have choice).
Bitul and the Altar
Fulfillment of Mitzvos without any sense of self or ego, only to fulfill the Will of G-d. The first commandment after Matan Torah, displays the main concept of Torah, the complete bitul of man that is not “Me”; altar of the ground, which one offers oneself completely to G-d, bitul from Torah.
