English translation — שיחת יום ב' פ' האזינו, ח' תשרי, ה'תשמ"ו ל"צבאות השם" שיחיו, בבית הכנסת, אחרי תפלת מנחה

Unedited transcript.

[They recited the twelve verses and sayings of our Sages.

They sang "We want Moshiach now"].

Since today's gathering of "Tzivos Hashem" is at a special time of the entire year,

the "Ten Days of Repentance" between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur² we will begin

(contrary to the custom in every gathering)

not with the matters common to every gathering,

but specifically with the matter unique to this gathering.

What this is,

as mentioned,

that today is a day of the "Ten Days of Repentance",

meaning, although each of the ten days has a particular matter and name

(for example,

the first two days are called "Rosh Hashanah",

and the last day "Yom Kippur")

— nevertheless, there is a name and matter which unites all these ten days and makes them one thing,

a matter of teshuvah.

And from this comes the instruction and special "order of the day" for "Tzivos Hashem",

that one should contemplate the matter of "teshuvah",

to rectify all the past,

and in a manner that the thinking,

the "resolution",

should bring to action,

for action is the main thing³.

One of the matters unique to the Ten Days of Repentance is,

as the Gemara says⁴,

that about them the verse states⁵ "Seek Hashem when He is to be found, call upon Him when He is near",

meaning that then the Almighty is "near" to every Jew and all Jews,

and therefore He asks and turns to the Jews that there should be "Seek Hashem" and "call upon Him",

that one should have a special connection with Him,

and express and invest in this,

what to ask of Him and how to ask of Him,

since He stands with a special closeness and nearness to all Jews.

Which gives added emphasis to the matter that you just said

(in the twelve verses and sayings of our Sages)

that "For this matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it"⁶,

meaning, the "very near" is especially emphasized in the days when the Almighty is "when He is to be found" and "when He is near".

Consequently, it is understood from all this,

how the aforementioned service of the Ten Days of Repentance is a very easy service,

and everyone can achieve it.

To this comes added emphasis when it concerns those who have merited and belong to "Tzivos Hashem",

to the Almighty's army — for they have a special mission to carry out and be victorious in the war against the evil inclination,

as the Almighty desires.

That is,

their goal is to reveal the "In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth"⁷,

that every part of the world,

both below and above,

was all created by the Almighty,

and especially this is revealed and evident in every Jew in the world,

and even more so –

in everyone who belongs to "Tzivos Hashem".

For everyone who belongs to "Tzivos Hashem" contemplates and feels that "Behold, Hashem stands over him etc. and examines the kidneys and heart, whether he serves Him properly"⁸,

that the Almighty stands near each one of you

(and also near every member of the Jewish people)

and looks to see if you serve Him as one should serve Him,

as He commanded in the Torah,

and He acts in accordance with the thought and feeling.

And this also includes — to serve as a living example for the children around you,

through which one fulfills the command "Love your fellow as yourself"⁹ which is a "great principle in the Torah"¹⁰,

meaning, to influence the children around you

(boys on boys and girls on girls)

that they should all enter "Tzivos Hashem" –

which is accomplished especially when one himself shows a living example and a proper example,

for this is one of the best means to influence others to enter Tzivos Hashem.

And especially when they see that one is happy and satisfied with belonging to "Tzivos Hashem",

"Yisrael shall rejoice in its Maker"¹¹,

until this is a joy that also brings joy to the Almighty,

"Hashem shall rejoice in His works"

(as the Torah relates¹²),

that one arouses a special joy in the Almighty,

and the Almighty takes pride in "the work of My hands",

"the shoot of My planting, the work of My hands, in which I take pride"¹³.

It is therefore understood,

how the unique matter of the Ten Days of Repentance — is connected with emphasis to the children of Tzivos Hashem who conduct themselves in the aforementioned manner.

And this conduct causes the Almighty to give and add in blessings and good things to "Tzivos Hashem".

And likewise — to their parents who raised them to conduct themselves as befits "Tzivos Hashem",

and also to their guides, male and female, and teachers and heads of yeshivas,

who educated them in this path,

meaning, that they receive more blessings than they themselves deserve.

Which all adds to the writing and sealing for a good and sweet year that the Almighty has given to each of you and your parents,

relatives and families and educators,

and the entire Jewish people.

For the best "writing and sealing for good" is, after all,

when the Almighty brings the greatest good to every Jew and to the entire Jewish people — the true and complete redemption through Moshiach our righteousness.

Then, when one will see openly — how the Almighty is "when He is to be found" and

(even more)

"when He is near",

for all will be in our holy land,

the Almighty's special land

(for although He created all the lands of the entire world, specifically in the Land of Israel "the eyes of Hashem your G-d are upon it"¹⁴),

and there itself — in Jerusalem,

the capital city of all the Land of Israel,

and there itself — on the Temple Mount,

and in the "House" itself,

the Holy Temple,

the unique House and the Chosen House,

the House that the Almighty chose from all houses.

And especially through each of you striving to make his house and room where he eats and sleeps and drinks a "miniature Sanctuary"¹⁵,

for it is evident that there one learns Torah and fulfills mitzvos,

which are all "holy",

"our holy Torah",

and "Who sanctified us with His commandments",

the Almighty gave the power that through mitzvos everyone should become more holy than he was before,

"And you shall sanctify yourselves and you shall be holy"¹⁶.

Which adds to all the blessings,

and certainly — the primary blessing,

that speedily, in our very days, each of you and of us and of the entire Jewish people,

will be in the great Holy Temple,

may it be built speedily in our days,

through the redemption by Moshiach our righteousness,

and speedily in our very days.

As mentioned earlier, today's gathering contains matters common to all other gatherings of Tzivos Hashem.

However, since today there is a "special order",

the unique instruction connected with the present time,

it is understood,

that also in the matters common to every gathering there is an emphasis and strength through contemplating the unique matter of this gathering.

The general matter in every gathering is,

as discussed several times,

that many children from different families gather together,

and nevertheless, all gather together in one single gathering.

Meaning, the matter of a gathering is to make from the "many" an "one",

"all of us as one".

And this itself is in a synagogue,

a place called "synagogue" from the term gathering,

meaning, a place that gathers all who enter it,

and makes them one entity of a congregation;

and also a study hall,

connected with Torah,

whose matter is "unity",

one Torah,

consequently, this unites everyone even more.

And especially since they recite the same twelve verses and sayings of our Sages from the same one Torah in every gathering — which unites everyone together.

And it is customary in every gathering to connect this with a matter of charity.

These matters, which are in every gathering,

unite each of you,

and also — with the entire Jewish people in all synagogues and study halls,

so that there is a true "all of us as one",

consequently, this brings "Bless us, our Father..

with the light of Your countenance"¹⁷,

that the Almighty gives more blessings to every Jew and to the Jewish people,

and with a shining countenance.

And this matter is further emphasized in these days,

the days of the Ten Days of Repentance,

when the Almighty is "when He is to be found" and "when He is near" — it turns out,

that the "light of Your countenance" is even nearer and especially ready and present with everyone.

Additionally, several matters from the twelve verses and sayings of our Sages that are repeated in every gathering are emphasized in the present time:

The matter of "In the beginning, G-d created" is especially emphasized in this time,

the Ten Days of Repentance,

which begin on Rosh Hashanah — for the matter of Rosh Hashanah is "This day is the beginning of Your works",

the time when the world is renewed each and every year.

Additionally, in this time the matter of "Love your fellow as yourself" is further emphasized,

the unity of Jews

("all of us as one"):

On Rosh Hashanah, the first time, was the creation of Adam the first –

and the Mishnah¹⁸ says that "Therefore, man was created alone, to teach you etc. that whoever sustains one soul of Israel etc., it is as if he sustained a full world",

which emphasizes the virtue of every Jew,

and consequently, the feeling of "Love your fellow as yourself".

This matter that occurred on Rosh Hashanah the first time is repeated each and every year,

and especially when one conducts himself properly and in accordance with the Ten Days of Repentance.

Furthermore:

Just as Adam the first himself effected in all of creation on the first Rosh Hashanah the matter of unity — when he said to everyone¹⁹ "Come, let us prostrate and bow, let us kneel before Hashem our Maker"²⁰ — so too, each and every year during the Ten Days of Repentance,

when all Jews unite in the matter of "Come, let us prostrate and bow etc.",

meaning, in the matter of teshuvah which unites all Jews that they should all stand in a movement of teshuvah,

"returning" "to the G-d Who gave it"²¹,

to the Almighty,

for Jews are "the shoot of My planting, the work of My hands, in which I take pride".

And this matter is confirmed at the conclusion of the Ten Days of Repentance,

Yom Kippur "once a year"²²,

a single day in the year which unites all Jews,

and especially at the conclusion and completion of Yom Kippur,

when one says "Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One"²³,

the content of which is,

that the Almighty is one and unique,

and all Jews say this at the same time,

at the close of Yom Kippur which is the close of the Ten Days of Repentance.

In addition to the fact that in this the verses and sayings of our Sages of "the shoot of My planting, the work of My hands, in which I take pride" and "Hear O Israel etc." are emphasized as above — all these things also add to the matter of the unity of Israel,

the matter of "Love your fellow as yourself" –

for through the matter of unity it becomes "literally as yourself",

that is the same person,

the same child,

and the same people,

with whom one unites through loving him "as yourself".

Now,

the matter of "Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One" also recalls the recitation of "I gratefully thank You" which is said every day

(about which we also speak in every gathering):

The matter of the Shema is the first mitzvah in which a Jew becomes obligated at the moment he becomes bar mitzvah²⁴,

and likewise, every day, the beginning of the day

(even before washing one's hands)

is with "I gratefully thank You, living and eternal King". For the content of both matters is to make the Almighty King of the world.

And also this detail is connected with the Ten Days of Repentance — for the kingship of the Almighty is renewed with a special emphasis on Rosh Hashanah,

when we crown the Almighty as King²⁵,

and it is sealed and signed at the conclusion of the Ten Days of Repentance,

through saying "Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever",

that the Almighty's kingdom is in all worlds.

Additionally, in every gathering we speak about the future redemption to come — and also this matter is emphasized in the Ten Days of Repentance,

whose conclusion,

the conclusion of Yom Kippur,

is "Next year in Jerusalem",

and blowing the "great shofar blast" which recalls the "Sound the great shofar for our freedom",

in the true and complete redemption.

May it be His will,

that the true and complete redemption should indeed come immediately,

when there will be "Next year in Jerusalem" — through the good resolutions of this gathering,

in addition to the good resolutions of previous gatherings.

And may the Almighty grant success,

that speedily in our very days there should be "He will build the Holy Temple",

and "Next year in Jerusalem",

that on Yom Kippur of this year — 5746 — we should all, together with all of the people of Israel, be in Jerusalem,

and there itself,

in the Holy Temple,

and with joy and a good heart,

speedily in our very days.

In every gathering, it is customary to seek the special "order of the day" in the studies connected with the day.

First of all — the daily Chumash lesson of today:

the second and third portions of Parshas Haazinu:

The lesson begins:

"Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will say to you"²⁶.

Meaning, that each of us must inquire of the father or of the grandfather,

he will tell "When the Most High gave nations their inheritance, when He separated the children of man, He set the borders of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel"²⁷,

"For²⁸ Hashem's portion is His people" –

"Why all this? Because His portion was hidden among them and was destined to emerge,

and who is His portion? His people. And who is His people?"²⁹ –

"Yaakov is the lot of His inheritance"²⁸.

Meaning, that "your father" and "your elders" will tell how the Almighty chose Yaakov for "the lot of His inheritance" from every Jew and all Jews,

and chose him despite there being so many nations around.

The lesson from this:

This reminds and gives strength to each of you,

that he should not be frightened and pay absolutely no attention to what the evil inclination may want to confuse him, G-d forbid, and say:

You are but a small child,

from a small people,

and you find yourself among so many nations — how can it be demanded of you that you be one of "Tzivos Hashem" who will take over the entire world,

so that throughout the world they will see that "In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth",

and how can it be that you crowned anew the Almighty as "King over all the earth",

as a "king"

(emperor)

over the entire world –

how can you accomplish this,

you are but a small child from a small people?!

He told them the lesson of today,

that the Most High has chosen the Jewish people and everyone who belongs to the Jewish people,

as "the lot of His inheritance",

that he is connected with the Most High,

he is the inheritance of the Most High!

And the Most High, who "Hashem alone will lead him"

(as he continues in that lesson³⁰),

chose the people of Israel from all the nations,

to the extent that the people of Israel become "a people that dwells alone"³¹

(being connected with "Hashem alone"),

a people unto themselves,

and a people to whom the Most High gives strength,

and leads through this people His mission throughout the entire world.

And the strength for this comes from that which the Most High is "King over all the earth",

as we proclaim anew with joy and with strength — this gives strength that the Jewish people should become "a people that dwells alone",

and stands in a state where it overcomes all things that hinder it,

including also — that the evil inclination becomes completely nullified and has absolutely no effect.

As he concludes the lesson "and there is no strange god with him"³⁰,

"there was no power in any of the gods of the nations to show their power and to fight against them"³²,

there is nothing that opposes godliness and Judaism,

because they are one thing,

"the lot of His inheritance",

with the Most High,

as it has been since the giving of the Torah,

as we hear it from "your father" and "your elders".

In addition, there is also the instruction from today's lesson of Tehillim. For in today's lesson of Tehillim there are various chapters that are said as the lesson of Tehillim of the month;

and in addition there are the three chapters that are said from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur –

but both lessons consist of several chapters:

Afterwards, however, there is one chapter of Tehillim that unifies all the Ten Days of Repentance,

because this one chapter is said only during the days of the Ten Days of Repentance

(as an exception from the rest of the days of the year),

unlike the aforementioned lessons

(of the days of the month,

and three chapters per day)

in which the Ten Days of Repentance are also divided among themselves.

And that is –

the chapter³³ "A Song of Ascents, Out of the depths I call to You, Hashem":

This underscores the "special order" of the Ten Days of Repentance –

that each one of you

(each one of "the hosts of Hashem")

and each one of the Jewish people is "Out of the depths I call to You, Hashem",

he gives himself over more and thinks himself deeper into his being more connected with the Most High

(more than during the rest of the days of the year),

until "I call to You, Hashem",

as mentioned above that during the Ten Days of Repentance it is "call upon Him when He is near" — everyone calls to the Most High "out of the depths",

from the depth of his heart.

Also during the rest of the days of the year one belongs to "the hosts of Hashem" and is connected with the Most High;

but during the Ten Days of Repentance it is further strengthened by that which "Out of the depths I call to You, Hashem".

And the "Out of the depths I call to You, Hashem" consists

(also)

of this –

as he concludes the chapter –

"And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities":

The Most High Himself frees every Jew so that there should be no possibility that one should come to a sin,

meaning that even though on other days the evil inclination might possibly think a foolish thought,

that it might possibly bring a Jewish child to commit a sin, heaven forbid — the evil inclination becomes completely nullified.

And this is the "special order" of all the Ten Days of Repentance

(in which all the ten days are equal) –

that there must be "Out of the depths I call to You, Hashem",

one calls to the Most High and asks of Him,

and says to Him praises and thanksgivings,

more than one does on all other days of the year.

And one asks of the Most High and says that it is a certain thing that "He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities",

there remains absolutely no trace and no possibility that one should, heaven forbid, not fulfill something in carrying out the "order", –

the commandments that the Most High has commanded each one of you.

And since "And you shall love your fellow as yourself" –

one must also influence other Jewish children.

And this –

the action to prevent

(from the aspect of love of Israel)

that also with other Jewish children there should not be any sin, heaven forbid –

is also learned from today's lesson in Rambam's Sefer HaMitzvos,

the lesson of the 8th of Tishrei,

which is the special lesson of today

[as discussed above,

that there are matters in which all the Ten Days of Repentance are equal,

and matters in which each of them has its "special order"]:

In the commandment of today's lesson³⁴ the Rambam writes:

"He commanded to burn sacred offerings that became impure."

That is:

When there are sacred offerings,

a thing that was in the Holy Temple and became holy,

and afterwards became impure,

the "evil inclination" touched them,

not a pure thing,

through which the sacred offerings became not holy but impure –

then the commandment is that one should burn the sacred offerings.

Meaning, that even though they were sacred offerings,

which are so called because they were made holy to the Most High — the Most High Himself commands that His sacred offerings

(a thing that was made holy to Him)

should be burned and done away with!

And one of the reasons for this is:

If one will not burn it,

even if he will guard himself and not touch it and will not eat it and not use it with all the extra precautions –

nevertheless, it could be that another Jew will find it and will not know that it is forbidden to eat it,

or the evil inclination will convince him that even though he may not eat it, he should do as the evil inclination wants. Therefore, in order to prevent another Jew,

that he should not stumble into a sin,

the Most High commanded a Jew,

that he must burn the Most High's sacred offerings,

in order through this to prevent "your fellow" from stumbling into it!

And from this command

(today's lesson of Rambam)

one sees how the Most High shows an example from His own conduct during the Ten Days of Repentance

(that "He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities")

of how much one must prevent another Jew,

another child,

from stumbling into a sin, heaven forbid:

One sees from this how precious the conduct of a Jew is to the Most High,

to such an extent — that even unintentionally,

unknowingly,

he should also not stumble.

To the extent that the Most High therefore made a commandment among Jews,

that because of "And you shall love your fellow as yourself" one must burn His sacred offerings,

in order to prevent a boy or a girl,

or an adult Jew,

from being able to stumble into it.

And this is further strengthened during the Ten Days of Repentance,

when "He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities",

the Most High removes the entire possibility that a sin could exist.

And this is reflected in the commandment "to burn sacred offerings that became impure",

where then there is no possibility that there should be a sin,

even not unintentionally.

And in continuation of this –

And in order to have all these matters in completeness,

in their full entirety –

we will again unite "all of us as one",

by saying,

and with joy,

with a melody –

the verse³⁵ "But the righteous will give thanks to Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence".

And this underscores that every Jew who says this,

and especially when he sings it — wants to be "upright" and "righteous" and to fulfill the will of the Most High, he fulfills "And you shall love your fellow as yourself" and fulfills all the other above-mentioned "orders",

both the general ones and the specific ones.

And in order that the fulfillment of this should come even more easily –

one must also have the commandment of charity.

Therefore, we will,

as is customary,

distribute to each one of you three coins,

to give one of them for charity,

a second — for charity because of the Ten Days of Repentance,

and a third — to do as his heart donates,

as it works out for you,

in a kosher manner and in a good manner.

And in your merit, we will also give it to the adults who are here,

both the men and the women,

so that they should know what you have accomplished also with them — that through you the commandment of charity came to them as an addition and in these special days when the Most High is "when He is to be found" and "when He is near".

And after we will sing,

as mentioned,

the melody "But the righteous",

we will also sing "We want Moshiach now",

that we want that "the upright will dwell in Your presence" in the Holy Temple should be "now",

through that Moshiach comes "now".

And also conclude,

or better said:

begin it with this,

that we will sing the melody of "Rachamana",

which is about the Most High,

the "Merciful Father" and "Father of Mercy"³⁶,

Who does good things "for the poor",

with those who are in exile,

which is why they are called "poor",

because every Jew must find himself in a state and condition of the true and complete redemption,

and a moment before it he is still "poor".

And "Merciful One who answers the poor" is also "answer us" –

He will answer each one of you and each one of us in all of Israel.

And especially when one sings it with joy,

"Israel will rejoice in its Maker",

this hastens even more the "Merciful One who answers the poor",

because through this it becomes "Hashem will rejoice in His works",

and therefore He (Hashem) does

all these things for "the poor".

And especially –

the main thing that we ask of the Most High — the true and complete redemption,

Therefore we will also conclude with the melody "The Holy Temple will be rebuilt speedily in our days",

And as mentioned earlier –

with joy and a good heart.

They sang "Merciful One who answers the poor, answer us". "But the righteous etc.".

The Rebbe Shlita sang "May it be His will etc. that the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days and give us our portion in Your Torah".

[Afterwards, the Rebbe Shlita gave to the counselors and the counselors Shlita ten-cent coins,

to give to each of the children Shlita three coins,

one for charity (in general),

the second — for charity in connection with the Ten Days of Repentance,

and the third — to do with it as they see fit.

Afterwards, he gave likewise to the "tankists" Shlita to distribute as above].

* * * * * * *