English translation — מאמר שיר המעלות ממעמקים תשמ"ח

With the help of Heaven.

Shabbos Parshas Haazinu,

Shabbos Shuva 5748*

– Farbrengen 2 – continuation of the farbrengen of the second day of Rosh Hashanah –

"A Song of Ascents: From the depths I called You, Hashem"1,

Behold, this psalm was instituted to be recited every day of the Ten Days of Repentance,

beginning from Rosh Hashanah2

(which is the first day of the Ten Days of Repentance),

and many discourses of Rosh Hashanah begin with this verse.

And it is brought regarding this in the discourses3,

that in the explanation of "MiMaamakim" there are two opinions in the Zohar4

Rabbi Yitzchak and Rabbi Abba,

that Rabbi Yitzchak explains "MiMaamakim" as referring to the depths of man,

that the aforementioned prayer is from the depths of man's soul5,

from the depths of the soul of King Dovid5

and likewise of every single Jew who recites this psalm,

and Rabbi Abba explains "MiMaamakim" as referring to the depths above, a hidden place above, etc.

And it continues in the maamarim6,

and behold, the explanation of "MiMaamakim" is two depths,

for this is according to the two aforementioned opinions,

and based on this it is explained that according to Rabbi Yitzchak, the depth within depth is the depth of the heart5

and according to Rabbi Abba, this is the depth of depths in the levels above.

And it continues that the primary explanation is that it refers to the levels above,

that is, that through "I called You" one reaches the aspect of depth within depth,

until one ascends to such a depth that is above the division of levels,

and from there "I called You" – is drawn – "Hashem".

And the connection between the two explanations

(for one said one thing and the other said another, and they do not disagree)

is,

that the ability to draw down from this aspect of depth which is above any category of division is through the aspect of the depth of the heart,

which comes through the service of teshuvah,

as explained in the maamarim,

and as is simply understood that this is the content of this psalm

("A Song of Ascents: From the Depths"),

the prayer of teshuvah.

And to understand this,

how through the service of teshuvah we draw from the aspect of the depth to within the depth above,

we must first preface what is explained in the continuation of Rosh HaShanah 5692

(fifty years ago),

that there are two levels in teshuvah,

the concept of teshuvah and the essence of teshuvah.

For the concept of teshuvah is teshuvah concerning particular matters or even concerning general matters,

but even though the teshuvah is not for sin and iniquity

and transgression, nevertheless its concept is that one ascends in his service in the good itself,

going and adding in the perfection of his service until this particular service is as it should be and as required,

and until through completing all the particular matters, his entire service is as required.

However, the essence of teshuvah is that from the place where he stands in his spiritual standing and state, he ascends

(he transforms himself)

to a more elevated place,

which is a new standing and state, until it is not at all comparable to his previous state.

That is, he ascends to a supernal state that is utterly incomparable, until one cannot speak of it in terms of higher and lower,

for the term "higher" indicates that there is a lower and it is higher in relation to it,

but the essence of teshuvah is on such a level that it is not within the category and comparison of higher and lower,

that it is not at all related to the previous state

(in terms of superiority),

until a new reality is made that is made from absolute nothing and naught.

And through standing in a standing and state that is not at all comparable,

this affects all the particular services and all the most particular details,

that everything will be rectified as required.

That is, since he is in a new standing and state in a manner that all the deeds he does are good,

as the language of our sages, of blessed memory,

and the precise order in this: teshuvah and good deeds,

that through teshuvah there will be the ultimate perfection in the deeds

and the ultimate perfection in the good and the ultimate perfection in Israel who perform the good deeds.

And this is: "A Song of Ascents: From the depths I called You, Hashem,"

for through teshuvah from the depth of the heart,

depth within depth,

which is the essence of teshuvah,

through this we call and draw from above from the aspect of the depth of depths,

and to such a depth that is not within the category of levels at all.

And through this, all the prayers in this psalm are fulfilled simply,

for the aspect of the supernal depth above is drawn,

the aspect of the depth that is above "depths" in the plural,

until it is above any category of depth,

and it descends to the very lowest and in actual revelation,

even in time,

immediately and at once,

and there will be the nullification of all limitations and the revelation of the true Ein Sof below,

and moreover,

for with Him, blessed be He, the category of above and below does not apply, rather everything is one,

and this is founded and accomplished through the depth of Israel and the depth above becoming one thing,

"From the depths I called You"

so that Israel and the Holy One, blessed be He, become entirely one.