CONNECTING
Dear Family,
Hope everyone is well
This time of year always has this beautiful combination of the births of Channa and Rivky, Yud-tes Kislev ie The Alte Rebbe and Chassidus, and the lights of Channuka, all harmonised together.
So first Mazal Tov Channa on your upcoming birthday. Wishing you to continue advancing in all areas. Everything is possible and you should reach all the good goals that you desire.
Mazal Tov Rivky on your upcoming birthday. iYrh you are facing a year with lots of change and new possibility. It should be with happiness and much achievement.
There was one main thought running through mt mind most of this week which came from an article that I had read.
Someone we know had yechidus (a private meeting with the Rebbe).
This person assessed himself to be the type of person who was not so joyful, and he decided to ask the Rebbe how he could be JOYFUL all the time.
And this is what he did, and the Rebbe answered him 'If you keep in mind that the Soul of a Jew is part of G-d above, how can you not be constantly joyful.'
He then added 'I see that you are by nature a melancholy type of fellow, but if you bear this in mind at all times, you will be joyful.'
Yud Tes (19th) Kislev is the central day of the year to the Teachings of Chassidus, and this also is being celebrated next week. It is known as the Rosh Hashana of Chassidus.
In connection to both of the above points was the Hayom Yom of this week on 13 Kislev which went like this:
'Chassidus changes what exists, and uncovers the essence character. The essence character of the Jewish person is beyond estimation and assessment, for he is part of G-d's Essence.
Whoever lays hold of a part of The Essence is as though he lays hold of of it all.
Just as the Essence is unlimited, so is the part unlimited.....
And Chassidus reveals the essence character of the soul.'
An additional point which I would like to mention is that the word MITZVA means TO CONNECT.
We as Jews, have a most valuable asset, ie to be able to connect to Hashem with physical acts ie Mitzvos as instructed to us through Torah, and to further understand these better through the learning of both Nigleh and Chassidus.
Wishing everyone a Gut Shabbos, a Gut Yom Tov (19 Kislev) and a Channuka with much light.