English translation — חלק משיחת ש״פ בראשית, מבה״ח וער״ח מרחשון ה׳תש״ג

— regarding the "sale of mitzvos" -

The custom is known in 22 communities in Israel that on the Shabbos of Bereishis they "sell" the mitzvos belonging to the synagogue — aliyos to the Torah,

hagbahah and gelilah of the Sefer Torah,

opening the Ark,

and likewise the merits of "Ner L'Maor" and "Yayin LeKiddush VeHavdalah"¹,

and so forth.

And the reason for the custom — simply — is that on Shabbat Bereishit, the order of reading the Torah portions for the entire year begins anew,

for on each Shabbat we read one portion of the Torah,

until the completion of the entire Torah on Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah next year²,

therefore this is the appropriate time to sell the "mitzvot" that pertain to the Torah reading

(and similarly the other "mitzvot" that pertain to the synagogue and study hall)

for the entire year.

And in particular, according to the well-known saying⁵ "As one sets up Shabbos Bereishis, so goes the entire year,"

that is,

that Shabbos Bereishis is a general principle for the entire year.

And one should add in explaining the connection of this custom to Shabbos Bereishis:

Shabbos Bereishis is also connected with the renewal of the existence of the world⁴ — "In the beginning G-d created

the heavens and the earth"⁵,

that is,

that the power for the work in the world for the entire year is radiated into it,

to bring about that in the world it be noticeable that "In the beginning G‑d created,"

"For the sake of the Torah and for the sake of Israel"⁶.

And it is emphasized also in that Shabbos Bereishis is always also the Shabbos when we bless the month of MarCheshvan — because,

in the month of MarCheshvan

(after the conclusion of the month of Tishrei, which is "full of festivals")

the main work in the world begins,

and therefore,

The extension of blessing for this month is from Shabbos Bereishis,

In order to emphasize that the service in the world must be permeated with the concept of "In the beginning G‑d created",

as above.

And it can be said,

That this matter is also expressed in the custom of "selling the mitzvos":

The order in "selling the mitzvos" — that the buyers compete among themselves who will give a larger sum for a mitzvah,

And the one who wins that mitzvah,

is,

This one who gives the largest sum from his money for the needs of the synagogue and the study hall.

And based on this, one can explain the reason of "the sale of the mitzvahs"

("Sale" specifically,

whose essence is "leHakones")

on Shabbat Bereishit — to emphasize that the exit into the world,

to engage in business

Sefer HaSichos - 5750

and give, that through this he will earn money,

it is,

in order to "acquire mitzvos",

that is,

that he can increase in giving silver and gold for the needs of the shul and study hall,

and through this this intention will be drawn within him for the entire year,

that his involvement in worldly matters will be permeated with the main intention — to increase in giving silver and gold for the needs of the shul and study hall

(and similarly for other matters of charity)

And in general — that his involvement in worldly matters is for the sake of matters of holiness,

Torah and His mitzvahs,

for this is the content of the synagogue and the study hall,

that one nurtures in it prayer and nurtures in it Torah,

and likewise charity and acts of kindness,

which include all matters of service.

And in greater detail — regarding the special aspect of participation in the maintenance and needs of the synagogue and study hall:

The synagogue and the study hall are called a "minor sanctuary"¹⁰ — in the manner and likeness of the Holy Temple.

And from this it is understood,

that the giving of money for the synagogue and study hall is in the manner and pattern of the donations for the Tabernacle and the Temple,

"gold and silver, etc.

(all thirteen or fifteen items² that Bnei Yisrael donated for the Tabernacle)

and furthermore, and primarily — a close preparation for the building of the Third Beis HaMikdash,

which,

Despite being a "building of the Holy One, blessed be He",

"The Sanctuary, O L-rd, which Your hands established"⁴,

that is, "the work of the righteous"¹⁵

("and all Your people are righteous"¹⁶)

since it comes

and is revealed through "our deeds and our service",

and especially in the matters of service related to the Holy Temple,

Starting from maintaining "Mikdash Me'at".

And this is the preparation for going out to work in worldly matters throughout the entire year — that it be permeated with the primary intent to make for Him, blessed be He, a dwelling place in the lower realms¹⁸,

In the manner and pattern of the indwelling of the Divine Presence in the Mishkan and Temple,

from which light goes out to the entire world".

According to this, there is another reason for the custom of selling the mitzvahs on Shabbat Bereishit,

which is also Shabbat Mevarchim Marcheshvan — in connection and relation to the building of the Third Beis HaMikdash:

The building of the Third Beis HaMikdash is particularly related to the month of Marcheshvan

([which] is blessed from Shabbos Bereishis²⁰)

— as explained in the Midrash²¹ that the first Beis HaMikdash was completed in the month of Mar-Cheshvan and was not inaugurated until the following Tishrei

("From when the house was built in the month of Bul, it was locked for twelve months etc.")

and therefore "the Holy One, blessed be He, will repay him,"

that the inauguration of the third Beis HaMikdash will be in the month of Mar-Cheshvan²².

Shabbos Parshas Bereishis from the Sefer HaSichos, and Erev Rosh Chodesh Mar-Cheshvan

And one could say,

That this matter is also hinted at in the custom of the sale of the mitzvahs on Shabbat Mevarchim the month of Marcheshvan — since the maintenance of the synagogue and study hall

(whose important part comes through the "sale of the mitzvahs")

is a close preparation for the building and dedication of the third Holy Temple in the month of Marcheshvan.

And the deed is the main thing²³:

As is customary every year — they shall now sell the mitzvahs of this synagogue and study hall,

which,

being the synagogue and study hall of His Holy Presence, my master, my father, the Rebbe, leader of our generation,

Where he studied, prayed, and engaged in charity and gemilut chasadim,

And from him he disseminated all matters of Torah and mitzvot,

Until the spreading of the wellsprings outward,

Throughout the entire world,

During the last ten years of his life in this world,

And "holiness does not move from its place"²,

And on the contrary,

It continues to increase with greater splendor and greater strength until this very day — understood,

All of the above is with extra emphasis regarding the "selling of the mitzvos" of this synagogue and study hall.

As usual — the selling of the mitzvos will be done by the "gabbai",

and wearing a "shtreimel",

to emphasize the merit and importance of the appointment to the "gabbaiship" — all the more so from the principle that "even a head of a spoonful is appointed from heaven"²³,

and certainly the appointment to "gabbai" in the synagogue and study hall

(and especially in the synagogue and study hall of the leader of our generation)

and it is known that "gabbai" is an acronym.

Please, by the power of Your great right hand—",

that receives,

power" from "Greatness of Your right hand",

And therefore,

The "gabbai" has the ability to arouse the congregation to give from their money for the needs of the synagogue and study hall.

And among the ways through which they arouse the congregation is the public announcement,

According to the directive "It is a mitzvah to publicize those who perform mitzvos",

Through this is also added the elevation of "the jealousy of scribes"²⁷,

Each and every one should endeavor to increase and multiply the giving of silver and gold to the synagogue and study hall even more than what he decided previously,

and whoever increases is praiseworthy.

And may it be His will — and this is the main thing — that even before the "selling of the mitzvahs," our righteous Moshiach should already come,

and immediately and at once the prophecy will be fulfilled: "In the future, the synagogues and study halls in Babylonia

(and all the more so the synagogues and study halls of the Nasi of our generation)

will be established in the Land of Israel"•²,

- together with the "gabbaim" and all the worshippers,

the men, the women, and the children,

"with our youths and with our elders, etc., with our sons and with our daughters"²,

and "their silver and their gold with them""³,

both spiritually

(love and awe³¹,

which include all matters of Torah and mitzvos³²)

and also physically literally,

including also the private homes that became houses of Torah, prayer, and charity, etc., like "a miniature Sanctuary"-

And the continuation of "selling of mitzvos" of "Mikdash Me'at" will be in the primary "Mikdash" - the Third Beis HaMikdash

(which will be built speedily in our days, truly,

even before Rosh Chodesh Mar-Cheshvan/ and in complete perfection,

like all matters of the mitzvos that will be "according to the commandment of Your will"³³,

and as said,

immediately and truly.

Sefer HaSichos - 5750