This is what man is all about; this is the purpose of his creation and of the creation of all the worlds, sublime and lowly—to make for G‑d a dwelling in the physical world.
—Likkutei Amarim 33
Today is Yud Tes Kislev, the 19th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, also known as the Rosh Hashanah L’Chassidus, The New Year of Chassidus.
On this date (and tomorrow), Chassidim joyfully celebrate with farbrengens (Chassidic gatherings) and an increased commitment to the ways and teachings of Chassidism. Today we also restart the yearly cycle of daily study of the Tanya, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's major Chassidic writing.
Tanya is the one-size-fits-all manual for life. The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G-d, the human soul, the world and our place in it.
Tanya and Chassidus as a whole give purpose to life and everything within. Purpose has been given to the most mundane of things, as Tanya teaches us to see the G-dliness and holiness within everything.
On this 19 Kislev, I would like to wish you, as Chassidim generally wish each other “L’shana Tova B’Limud Ha’Chassidus ub’Darchei Ha’Chassidus” – Happy new year of learning and living the teachings of Chassidus!
In the Parsha this week, Parshat VaYeishev, we learn about Yosef (Joseph) and the envy of his brothers. We are also taught that the envy of Yosef’s brotherYehudah (Judah) was greater than the others.
As it is the New Year of Chassidus, I would like to present a Chassidic view on this conflict and how it pertains to our daily lives.
Chassidus teaches us that the conflict between Yosef and Yehudah compares to our daily conflicts between growth and self-fulfillment on the one side, and humility and commitment on the other.
There are many reasons we act the way we do and perform the actions we do, however all of our actions fall under two categories; for ourselves and for something greater (others, society, G-d, etc.). Both are reasonable, as we must worry about ourselves, and would be considered wicked people if we never focused on something greater.
Yosef, whose name means "to add," represents growth and achievement, whileYehudah, means "to acknowledge" and "to submit" compares to commitment and restraint.
These two forces, through everything we do, fight each other to front. Some days one wins, some days the other. (Also, this is a model of times throughout Jewish history, as the camps of Yehudah and Yosef continuously fought for leadership of Israel…)
Chassidus, present a unique view to this. We are taught that these two “camps” actually unite down the road. The point when we are able to comprehend that while we do something for ‘the self’ we can then transform that into action for the greater society. As the Talmud relates "Learning is greater because it brings to deed." A better self -- a more knowing, sensitive, accomplished self -- is a self better equipped to fulfill its purpose in creation.
Making ourselves better is in fact the act of doing something for the long-run, for the sake of the greater good. That is the purpose of creation, as Tanya teaches (as quoted at the top of this article) “This is what man is all about; this is the purpose of his creation and of the creation of all the worlds, sublime and lowly—to make for G‑d a dwelling in the physical world.”
We make G-d a dwelling place by transforming everything we do into good and holy. By focusing on the positive energy within everything and by commiting to make ourselves better so we can in turn make the world better!
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