Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad system of chassidic philosophy, was for a time, a disciple of Reb Menachem of Vitebsk (until the latter left Russia for the Holy Land in1777).The month of Tishrei encompasses the entire spectrum of the human experience. As the month steadily progresses, we move from the state of introspection of Rosh Hashanah; to the state of emotion of Yom Kippur; to the state of action associated with the holiday of Sukkos. The action associated with the holiday of Sukkos includes the building of booths – known as Sukkos – for outdoor dwelling, as well as the binding and bringing together of the four species in a special ritual.
One year on Simchas Torah, before Hakkafos (the circular procession with which the holiday of Simchas Torah is identified), the entire synagogue was waiting for Reb Menachem Mendel to begin the recitation of the preceding verses, beginning with Atoh Hareisa. After a long unexplained silence, R' Menachem approached R' Shneur Zalman and said: “I perceive a hundred different ways to interpret this passage, but I cannot translate them into practice. I would hence prefer to refrain from reciting it.”
Reb Shneur Zalman protested: “But a person can never stand at the place which his eyes behold; for when he reaches that point he will see even farther. It is typical for this scenario to repeat itself again and again. So Rebbe, when you have realized these hundred ideas in practice, you will perceive yet more ideas and insights, and there will be no end to the matter.”
The Rebbe was quite pleased with this answer, and at once proceeded to recite: Atoh Hareisa. . .
The Weekly Sedra – Sukkos: Moving (Forward) In Circles
Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad system of chassidic philosophy, was for a time, a disciple of Reb Menachem of Vitebsk (until the latter left Russia for the Holy Land in1777).
One year on Simchas Torah, before Hakkafos (the circular procession with which the holiday of Simchas Torah is identified), the entire synagogue was waiting for Reb Menachem Mendel to begin the recitation of the preceding verses, beginning with Atoh Hareisa. After a long unexplained silence, R’ Menachem approached R’ Shneur Zalman and said: “I perceive a hundred different ways to interpret this passage, but I cannot translate them into practice. I would hence prefer to refrain from reciting it.”
Reb Shneur Zalman protested: “But a person can never stand at the place which his eyes behold; for when he reaches that point he will see even farther. It is typical for this scenario to repeat itself again and again. So Rebbe, when you have realized these hundred ideas in practice, you will perceive yet more ideas and insights, and there will be no end to the matter.”
The Rebbe was quite pleased with this answer, and at once proceeded to recite: Atoh Hareisa. . .
The month of Tishrei encompasses the entire spectrum of the human experience. As the month steadily progresses, we move from the state of introspection of Rosh Hashanah; to the state of emotion of Yom Kippur; to the state of action associated with the holiday of Sukkos. The action associated with the holiday of Sukkos includes the building of booths – known as Sukkos – for outdoor dwelling, as well as the binding and bringing together of the four species in a special ritual.
