Running Commentary on Torah 14 — Tik'u Ba'chodesh Shofar

Beginner: Opening pasuk — decoded at the end: **"Tik'u ba'chodesh shofar, ba'kesseh l'yom chageinu"** (Tehillim 81:4). At the end: **tik'u** = shalom; **ba'chodesh shofar** = hisgalus of kavod via gerim/ba'alei teshuvah; **ba'kesseh** = yirah (shoresh ha'kavod); **l'yom** = shalom bayis; **chageinu** = tefilah. The whole Torah is the ladder from kavod→yirah→shalom bayis→tefilah→shalom klali. Intermediate: **"Tik'u ba'chodesh shofar, ba'kesseh l'yom chageinu"** (Teh 81:4). Ladder: **kavod → yirah (shoresh) → shalom bayis → tefilah → shalom klali**.

Beginner: **"א. To draw **shalom** in the world, one must raise **kavod** of HKBH to its root — to **yirah**"** — as it is written: **"'l'yirah es ha'Shem ha'nichbad'"** (Devarim 28:58) — 'the Honored Name' — i.e., kavod is subordinate to yirah; kavod's root is yirah. Intermediate: **א. Shalom requires raising kavod to its root=yirah** ("l'yirah es ha'Shem ha'nichbad," Dev 28:58).

Beginner: **"ב."** Intermediate: **"ב"** heading.

Beginner: **"Impossible to raise kavod except via **Toras chesed** — which Chazal (Sukkah 49b) defined: **'zehu ha'lomed Torah al menas l'lamdah'** — 'this is one who learns Torah in order to teach it.'"** **"This is the essence of His kavod, per Zohar Yisro 69a: **'b'sha'ata d'shaar akum asin v'odein l'Kudsha Brich Hu, k'dein istalek v'is'yakar shma d'Kudsha Brich Hu ila'a v'tata'a'** — 'when the rest of the nations come and admit/praise HKBH, then HKBH's Name is elevated and honored above and below' — as with Yisro: when he said **'atah yadati ki gadol Hashem mi'kol ha'elokim'** (Shemos 18:11), **'istalek v'is'yakar shma d'Kudsha Brich Hu.'** **"His kavod is that when people from **outside** kedushah are drawn **inside** — whether **gerim** who convert, or **ba'alei teshuvah** (who were also outside) — that is His kavod."** Intermediate: **Raise kavod via Toras chesed** = **"lomed Torah al menas l'lamdah"** (Sukkah 49b). Zohar Yisro 69a: when nations admit to HKBH, "istalek v'is'yakar shma" (Yisro, Shem 18:11 "atah yadati"). **Kavod = drawing outsiders in**: gerim + ba'alei teshuvah.

Beginner: **"Now the kavod is **b'galus** — the essential kavod is with the **akum**, while we B'nei Yisrael are **shfalim u'nivzim**. In the future, the kavod will be revealed from the darkness: **'v'niglah kvod Hashem'** (Yeshayahu 40:5); **'az yitu kulam l'ovdo shechem echad'** (Tzefanyah 3:9); **'az yomru ba'goyim lechu v'neilchah b'or Hashem'** (Yeshayahu 2:5 — the LM source cites this as **"(שם ב)"**, which per strict antecedent-rule points back to Tzefanyah 2, but the pasuk itself is in Yeshayahu 2:5; Rabbeinu evidently means Yeshayahu, with 'שם' pointing back to the initial Yeshayahu 40 citation). **Kavod is called or** — **'v'ha'aretz hei'irah mi'kvodo'** (Yechezkel 43:2)."** Intermediate: **Kavod now in galus** (with akum; Israel shafal/nivzeh). Future: "v'niglah kvod Hashem" (Yesh 40:5); "l'ovdo shechem echad" (Tzef 3:9); "b'or Hashem" (Yesh 2:5). Kavod=or (Yech 43:2).

Beginner: **"ג."** Intermediate: **"ג"** heading.

Beginner: **"Impossible to draw in gerim and ba'alei teshuvah except via **Torah** — 'yafutzu ma'yanosecha chutzah' (Mishlei 5:16): one must water those outside and show them the way."** **"Chazal: 'ein kavod ela Torah' (Avos 6:3)."** **"'Im totzi yakar mi'zolel'** (Yirmiyahu 15:19) — Chazal (Bava Metzia 85a): **'these are those who draw people to avodas Hashem.'** 'Motzi yakar = kavod, mi'zolel = m'zilusa d'galusa.'"** **"'Ram al kol goyim Hashem' (Tehillim 113:4) — when the akum admit and praise Him, then **'al ha'shamayim k'vodo'** — the kavod is elevated from the darkness."** **"No one reaches **his'orerus of teshuvah** — neither rish'ei Yisrael nor gerim — except via Torah that illuminates **at the place where they are** — 'yafutzu... chutzah' — chutzah dayka. Because the Torah is **600,000 letters**, matching 600,000 neshamos; all neshamos have their root above **b'machshavah d'Kudsha Brich Hu** — 'Yisrael alu b'machshavah techilah' (Bereshis Rabbah 1:4). Via **zivug of neshamos in machshavah** are born **nishmos gerim** (Zohar Shelach 168a). When Torah's letters issue from the tzaddik's mouth and the neshamos in machshavah spark each other — that's zivug — and nishmos gerim are born. Even **poshei Yisrael**, while the name 'Yisrael' is still upon him (he's called 'poshei Yisrael') — **'af al pi she'chata, Yisrael hu'** (Sanhedrin 44a) — has a root above in **machshavah elyonah**; the sparking lights up his root, and illumination reaches him — and he returns."** Intermediate: **Drawing in via Torah** ("yafutzu ma'yanosecha chutzah," Mishlei 5:16); **"ein kavod ela Torah"** (Avos 6:3). "Im totzi yakar mi'zolel" (Yir 15:19; BM 85a=drawing to avodah). "Ram al kol goyim" (Teh 113:4). Torah=**600,000 letters = 600,000 neshamos**, rooted in **machshavah** (BR 1:4 "Yisrael alu b'machshavah"). Zivug of neshamos=sparking → birth of nishmos gerim (Zohar Shelach 168a). Poshei Yisrael: **"af al pi she'chata, Yisrael hu"** (San 44a); root-spark reaches him.

Beginner: **"ד. Chazal (Nedarim 81a): **'mipnei mah talmidei chachamim ein b'neihem talmidei chachamim? Mipnei she'lo beirchu ba'Torah techilah'** — 'why are the sons of talmidei chachamim not talmidei chachamim? Because they did not make the blessing over Torah at the outset.' Every person, especially a talmid chacham, must **bless and illuminate** — through his learning — the **shoresh ha'neshamos = machshavah techilah** — for that is our root. When he brings illumination and blessing to the start of machshavah, the neshamos spark and are blessed — so when he draws a neshamah for his son, it's a **bright and pure** neshamah, and the son becomes a talmid chacham. But when he doesn't illuminate the techilah, the neshamos are in bechina of **'ani y'shenah'** (Shir 5:2) and don't shine — hence the son isn't a talmid chacham."** Intermediate: **ד. Sons of TCh (Nedarim 81a):** "lo beirchu ba'Torah techilah." Must bless/illuminate the **shoresh=machshavah techilah** — bright neshamah for son. Without: neshamah="ani y'shenah" (Shir 5:2), son not TCh.

Beginner: **"ה. A person merits Torah only through **shiflus** — Chazal (Eruvin 54a): **'u'mi'midbar matanah'** — from midbar (being like a wilderness = shafel) comes the gift of Torah. One must break **ga'avah in 4 bechinos of shiflus**: before those greater than him; those like him; those smaller than him; and at times — **before his own level** — when he himself is the smallest of the small, he must belittle himself against his own level, imagining he is below his own station: **'shvu ish tachtav'** (Shemos 16:29)."** Intermediate: **ה. Torah only via shiflus** ("u'mi'midbar matanah," Eruvin 54a). Break ga'avah in **4 bechinos**: before greater/equal/smaller/own-level (imagine himself below his station — "shvu ish tachtav," Shem 16:29).

Beginner: **The ma'amar.** **"Amar Rabba bar bar Chana: **'Li'didi chazei li ha'i orzila bar yoma, d'havi k'har Tavor. V'har Tavor kama havi? Arba parsei. U'bei mashcha d'tzavrei — tlasa parsei; u'bei marbata d'reishei — parsa u'falga. V'rama kufta, v'sachra l'Yardena.'"** — 'I saw with my own eyes a wild-bull (**orzila**) one day old, which was like **Har Tavor**. And Har Tavor — how much is it? Four parsa. Its neck-hide was three parsa, and the place its head rested was a parsa and a half. It threw a dropping (**kufta**) and stopped up the Yarden with it.'" (Bava Basra 73b.) Intermediate: **BB 73b**: **orzila bar yoma** (day-old wild ox) like **Har Tavor** (4 parsa); neck-hide 3 parsa; head-rest 1.5 parsa; dropping **(kufta)** dammed the Yarden.

Beginner: **Rashbam:** Intermediate: **Rashbam:**

Beginner: **Rashbam's gloss**: **orzila bar yoma** = a one-day-old r'em, that was the day he was born; **k'har Tavor** = so big was he. **Bei marbata d'reishei** = the place where his head rested when lying on the ground. **Rama kufta** = threw excrement. **Sachra** = dammed the Yarden for the moment, until the waters eroded it gradually. Intermediate: Rashbam: **orzila bar yoma**=day-old r'em just born; **k'har Tavor**=scale. **Marbata**=resting place when lying. **Rama kufta**=excrement. **Sachra**=dammed until water dissolved it.

Beginner: **The Rebbe's peirush.** **"**Orzila bar yoma** = bechina of **kavod**, which is with the akum **b'zilusa**. **Or zila** — **or** = kavod (as in 'v'ha'aretz hei'irah mi'kvodo'). **Bar yoma** — because kavod will not be revealed until the coming of Mashiach; and regarding him: 'when will Mar come? **Ha'yom** — 'ha'yom im b'kolo tishma'u' (Tehillim 95:7; Sanhedrin 98a). Every day the kavod is ready to come out of zilusa."** **"**Havi k'Har Tavor** — he saw that the raising of the kavod is proportional to one's breaking of ga'avah. **Har** = lashon of gadlus — 'he'emadta l'har'r'i oz' (Tehillim 30:8); **Tavor** = lashon of **shvirah** (breaking). The kavod is raised via Torah; and Torah requires shiflus: **'u'mi'midbar matanah.'**"** **"**Kama havi? Arba parsei** — the **4 bechinos of shiflus** one must minimize before: tzaddikim, beinonim, resha'im, and his own level (imagining he hasn't reached it)."** **"**Mashcha d'tzavrei tlasa parsei** — three **parsei** corresponding to the **3 things people usually become proud of**: **'al yis'halel chacham b'chochmaso, v'al yis'halel gibor bi'gvuraso, v'al yis'halel ashir b'oshro'** (Yirmiyahu 9:22) — chacham, gibor, ashir. Gadlus is called **mashcha d'tzavra** — 'tedabru b'tzavar asak' (Tehillim 75:6)."** **"**Marbata d'reishei parsa u'falga** — **zivug** made in **reishis ha'machshavah** (marbata = zivug, 'orchi v'riv'i,' Tehillim 139:3). The **parsa u'falga**: **parsa** = drawing down neshamos to one's sons = **parsah shleimah**; **falga** = the sparking that awakens poshei Yisrael to teshuvah and births nishmos gerim = called **falga/half** because they are still far from kedushah with many mani'os requiring much effort to strip the **bigadim tzo'im** (Zechariah 3:4 — 'hasiru ha'bigadim ha'tzo'im'). Those soiled garments are what prevent return — like a river interrupting — one must cast them off."** **"**Rama kufta v'sachra l'Yardena** — through stripping and casting off the bigadim tzo'im, the mechitzos are nullified. **Sachra l'Yardena**: the Yarden divides the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael from chutz la'aretz. Therefore 'falga' applies — they still have to cast off. But the neshamos TCh draw for their sons are **parsah shleimah**, for they have no masachs."** **"And this is: **'v'chibadto — kabdehu b'ksus naki'** (Shabbos 119a on Yeshayahu 58:13, 'v'li'kdosh Hashem m'chubad'). **Ksus naki** = casting off bigadim tzo'im — that is the essence of Hashem's kavod: **'im totzi yakar mi'zolel'** — returning people in teshuvah and drawing nishmos gerim. Gerim who convert enter **tachas kanfei ha'Shechinah** — hence **ger tzedek** (Zohar Hakdamah 6). Zohar Yisro Ra'ya Mehemna 93a: **'ksus naki = kanfei mitzvah'** — i.e., Shechinah called **mitzvah** ('kol mitzvosecha tzedek,' Tehillim 119:172). Thus **'v'chibadto'** = bringing gerim under the wings of Shechinah."** Intermediate: **Peirush**: **Orzila bar yoma**=kavod in zilusa at akum ("or zila"); **bar yoma**=Mashiach potentially today ("ha'yom im b'kolo," Teh 95:7; San 98a). **K'Har Tavor**: raise kavod ↔ break ga'avah. **Har**=gadlus (Teh 30:8); **Tavor**=shvirah; via Torah ("u'mi'midbar matanah," Eruvin 54a). **4 parsei**=4 bechinos shiflus. **Mashcha d'tzavrei 3 parsei**=chacham/gibor/ashir (Yir 9:22; gadlus="tzavar asak," Teh 75:6). **Marbata d'reishei 1.5 parsei**: zivug in reishis machshavah (marbata=zivug, Teh 139:3). Parsah shleimah=neshamos for sons; falga=sparking for gerim/poshei Yisrael — still need to strip **bigadim tzo'im** (Zech 3:4). **Rama kufta v'sachra l'Yardena**=casting bigadim tzo'im → nullify mechitzos (Yarden=boundary EY/chu"l). **"V'chibadto = ksus naki"** (Shab 119a on Yesh 58:13); **kanfei mitzvah** (Zohar Yisro RM 93a; Teh 119:172; Shechinah=mitzvah); **ger tzedek** (Zohar Hakd 6).

Beginner: **"ו."** Intermediate: **"ו"** heading.

Beginner: **"And each according to his bechina can know the raising of the kavod to shoresh ha'yirah. According to the kavod one gives to **yir'ei Hashem**, so is the kavod raised to its root — for there is the root of kavod — **'v'es yir'ei Hashem y'chabed'** (Tehillim 15:4). As long as kavod is in galus, each according to his bechina **zilul**s yir'ei Hashem; and each according to his tikkun of the kavod — so does he honor yir'ei Hashem."** Intermediate: **Raise kavod to shoresh yirah** ∝ **kavod given to yir'ei Hashem** ("v'es yir'ei Hashem y'chabed," Teh 15:4). Galus-kavod = zilul of yir'ei Hashem; tikkun-kavod = kibud.

Beginner: **"ז."** Intermediate: **"ז"** heading.

Beginner: **"And the essence — **honor yir'ei Hashem b'lev shalem** — Chazal (Kiddushin 32b): **'davar ha'masur la'lev, ne'emar bo v'yareta m'Elokecha'** — things given to the heart, 'and you shall fear your G-d' is said. That is the essence of kavod: **'b'sfasav kibduni v'libo richak mi'meni'** (Yeshayahu 29:13) — the danger is lip-service without heart."** Intermediate: **Main point: honor yir'ei Hashem b'lev shalem** (Kid 32b "davar ha'masur la'lev, ne'emar bo v'yareta m'Elokecha"; danger: **"b'sfasav kibduni v'libo richak,"** Yesh 29:13).

Beginner: **"ח."** Intermediate: **"ח"** heading.

Beginner: **"When one returns kavod to its root = yirah, pgamei ha'yirah are completed, and he merits **shalom**. There are **2 kinds of shalom**: **shalom b'atzmav** (personal shalom — body with soul) and **shalom klali** (cosmic shalom)."** **"Personal first — 'ein shalom b'atzmi mipnei chatasi' (Tehillim 38:4). Via yirah, shalom b'atzmav — Zohar Yisro 79a: **'b'asra d'is dechila, taman tishtakach shalamsa'** — 'where there is fear, there is completeness'; 'ki ein machsor li'rei'av' (Tehillim 34:10)."** **"Shalom b'atzmav enables **tefilah** — because tefilah is by yirah: **'ishah yir'as Hashem, hi tis'halel'** (Mishlei 31:30). Tefilah **stands in the place of korban** (SA OC 98:4); regarding korban: **'kol asher bo mum lo yikrav'** (Vayikra 21:21); when **b'asra d'is dechila** there is no mum, one can approach for **avodah tamah**. Chanah: **'v'Chanah medaberes al libah'** (Shmuel I 1:13) — via yirah she reached tefilah (yirah is in the leiv). Via tefilah — **shalom klali** = **shleimus ha'olamos**; tefilah is called **korban** because of the **kiruv ha'olamos** to their shleimus."** Intermediate: **Kavod→yirah→shalom** (2 kinds: **atzmav** + **klali**). "Ein shalom b'atzmi mipnei chatasi" (Teh 38:4); shalom b'atzmav via yirah (Zohar Yisro 79a "b'asra d'is dechila, taman shalamsa"; Teh 34:10). Enables **tefilah** (yirah=Mishlei 31:30 "ishah yir'as Hashem"; tefilah=korban, SA OC 98:4; "kol asher bo mum," Vay 21:21; Chanah "medaberes al libah," Sh"A 1:13). Tefilah→**shalom klali**=shleimus olamos; korban=kiruv olamos.

Beginner: **The ma'amar.** **"Amar Rabba bar bar Chana: amar li ha'hu Tay'a: ta v'achavei lach heichi d'nashkei ar'a v'rakia b'hadadei. Azli v'chazei d'avid kuvei kuvei. Shakil l'salatai v'anchasi b'chusa d'rakia. Ba'hadei d'matzlina b'osi, v'lo ashkachasi. Amri: ika ganavei hacha? Amar li: galgala d'rakia hu d'hadar. N'tar ad l'machar ki hashta, u'mashkach lei."** — 'An Arab said to me: come, I'll show you the place where earth and heaven kiss each other. I went and saw — it was made **kuvei kuvei** (with windows/perforations). I took my basket and placed it in the window of the rakia. While I was praying my prayer — I didn't find it. I said: are there thieves here? He said to me: the wheel of the rakia is what turns (as in Pesachim: the wheel turns and the constellations are fixed). Wait until tomorrow at this hour and you'll find it.' (Bava Basra 74a.) Intermediate: **BB 74a**: Arab: "come, see where **earth+heaven kiss**." Saw **kuvei kuvei** (perforations). Placed basket (**salta**) in **window of rakia** (**kusa d'rakia**). While praying, it vanished. "Thieves?" — no: **galgala d'rakia hu d'hadar** (wheel revolves). Wait till tomorrow.

Beginner: **Rashbam:** Intermediate: **Rashbam:**

Beginner: **Rashbam**: **heichi d'nashkei ar'a v'rakia** — it was a high place where they kiss each other; not the end of the world (world is a 500-year journey; EY is in the middle, 'yoshvei al tabur ha'aretz' — RbbH's locale). **Salatai** = my bread basket. **D'hadar** = revolves, as in Pesachim: 'the galgal revolves, the mazalos are fixed.' Intermediate: Rashbam: high place where earth+rakia kiss; not world's end (500-yr journey; EY=middle). **Salatai**=bread basket. **D'hadar**=revolves (Pesachim: "galgal chozer u'mazalos kvu'im").

Beginner: **The Rebbe's peirush.** **"**D'nashkei ar'a v'rakia** = **shalom b'atzmav**. **Ar'a = guf**; **rakia = neshamah** — 'yikra el ha'shamayim mei'al = neshamah; v'el ha'aretz = guf' (Sanhedrin 91b; Tehillim 50:4). When there is shalom between them, **avid kuvei kuvei** — **tefilah** — 'v'chavin p'sichin lei b'ilisei' (Daniel 6:11)."** **"**V'shakalti l'salatai v'anchasi b'chusa d'rakia** — **salta = parnasah**, like 'mi she'yesh lo pas b'salo' (Yoma 74b). He did not want to engage in any business of olam hazeh, only for his neshamah. **All his tefilos were only to bind his neshamah** — even the tefilos we say for guf-needs (**refa'einu, bareich aleinu**, etc.), RbbH's kavanah was not for guf but for his **neshamah** — he meant the **parnasah and refuah of his neshamah**."** **"'V'ad d'matzlina b'osi v'lo ashkacha' — afterwards he didn't find parnasah; though he fixed ba'ruchniyus, bi'gashmiyus no shefa flowed. 'Ika ganvei hacha?' — 'there are thieves stealing my shefa?' Answer: **'galgala d'rakia d'hadra'** — **gilgulin d'nishmasin** causing the tzaddik not to have enough parnasah — as R' Pedas (Ta'anis 25a): **'I ba'is d'acharuv alma v'efshar d'ibaris bi'sha'ata d'mezonai'** — 'if you want, I'll destroy the world and re-create you in an hour of mezonos' (Tikkun 69)."** **"**'Kinim ta'aseh la'teivah'** (Bereshis 6:14) — Midrash Bereshis Rabbah 31: 'just as **kinim** (bird-nests = the two birds of the metzora) purify the metzora, so **teivasecha** (the teivah of tefilah) purifies you.' **Metzora = 'nirgan mafrid aluf'** (Mishlei 16:28), separates ish+ishto — so **'badad yeshev'** (Arakhin 16a). Kinim purify him; the **teivah of tefilah** rectifies machlokes and makes **shalom klali**. That's why tefilah ends with shalom."** Intermediate: **Peirush**: **Nashkei ar'a+rakia**=shalom b'atzmav (guf+neshamah; San 91b; Teh 50:4). **Kuvei kuvei**=tefilah ("chavin p'sichin lei," Dan 6:11). **Salta b'chusa d'rakia**: RbbH directed all tefilos (even physical-sounding ones like refa'einu/bareich aleinu) to **neshamah**; physical fixes b'ruchniyus. **Galgala d'rakia d'hadra**=**gilgulei nishmasin** — tzaddik's lack of parnasah (R' Pedas, Ta'an 25a; Tik 69). **Kinim** (Ber 6:14; BR 31 "kinim/metzora")=**teivas ha'tefilah** purifies **metzora=nirgan mafrid aluf** (Mishlei 16:28; Arakhin 16a "badad yeshev"); tefilah→shalom klali.

Beginner: **"י. The pasuk."** **"'Tik'u'** = lashon of shalom — 'u'teka'tiv yased b'makom ne'eman' (Yeshayahu 22:23). **'Ba'chodesh shofar'** = **hispa'arus chadash** = elevation of His kavod via kiruv gerim or ba'alei teshuvah. **'Ba'kesseh'** = bechina of **yirah** — shoresh ha'kavod; **kesseh** = lashon of **hiskasya** — bechina of **'davar ha'masur la'lev ne'emar bo v'yareta'** — hidden from every eye. **'L'yom'** = bechina of **shalom bayis**; yom = or — 'va'yikra Elokim la'or yom' (Bereshis 1:5) — or is shalom bayis — Chazal (Shabbos 23b): **'ner Shabbos kodem l'kiddush ha'yom'** — shalom bayis takes precedence. **'Chageinu'** = bechina of **tefilah, avodah** — Chazal (Pesachim 118a): **'why is AZ juxtaposed to mo'adim? To teach: one who despises the mo'adim — k'ilu oved AZ.'** Shemiras ha'mo'ed = avodah tamah; **'ein avodah ela tefilah'** (Sifrei Re'eh). Tefilah → shalom klali."** **"Thus: who wants to draw shalom klali — must raise kavod to yirah → shalom bayis → tefilah → shalom klali."** Intermediate: **י. Pasuk**: **Tik'u**=shalom (Yesh 22:23 "u'teka'tiv yased"); **ba'chodesh shofar**=hispa'arus chadash=gerim/ba'alei teshuvah; **ba'kesseh**=yirah (hidden, Kid 32b); **l'yom**=shalom bayis (yom=or, Ber 1:5; Shab 23b "ner Shabbos kodem"); **chageinu**=tefilah/avodah (Pes 118a=AZ/mo'adim; Sifrei "ein avodah ela tefilah"). **Chain**: kavod→yirah→shalom bayis→tefilah→shalom klali.

Beginner: **"יא."** Intermediate: **"יא"** heading.

Beginner: **"This Torah belongs also to these pesukim** (Tehillim 145:9-13): **'Tov Hashem la'kol v'rachamav al kol ma'asav'** — **"tov Hashem la'kol" = tefilah**: believing HKBH is good to all — for refuah, parnasah, everything. The one who believes will turn to HKBH and not chase many strategies (unlike the non-believer who must search many herbs that often aren't in his country or don't match his wound; but HKBH is **good to all wounds** and **always available**: **'mi k'Hashem Elokeinu b'chol kor'einu elav'** (Devarim 4:7))."** **"'V'rachamav al kol ma'asav'** — rachamim extends to **all creatures**, and they will all have mercy on one another — shalom: **'v'gar ze'ev im keves... lo yarei'u v'lo yashchisu'** (Yeshayahu 11:6-9). Chazal (Shabbos 151b): **'kol ha'merachem al ha'briyos, merachamin alav min ha'shamayim'** — **'v'nasan lecha rachamim v'richamcha'** (Devarim 13:18). Then he explains the ladder: **shalom bayis (gufo v'nafsho) → tefilah**. **'Yoducha kol ma'asecha'** = **asiyah = guf**. **'Va'chasidecha yevar'chuchah'** = **nefesh** (**'gomel nafsho ish chesed'**, Mishlei 11:17). **Shalom bayis via raising kavod to shoresh yirah = gvuros**. **'K'vod malchus'cha yomeiru'** = revelation and elevation of kavod to its root. **'U'gvurascha yedaberu'** — gvurah = yirah (Berachos 59a on 'v'ha'Elokim asah she'yir'u mi'lfanav' = **'eilu re'amim'**; Iyov 26:14 — 'v'ra'am gvurosav mi yisbonen')."** Intermediate: **Tehillim 145 lines**: **Tov Hashem la'kol**=tefilah (emunah→singular turn vs many herbs; "mi k'Hashem b'chol kor'einu elav," Dev 4:7). **V'rachamav al kol ma'asav**=rachamim extending; creatures compassionate with each other (Yesh 11:6-9; Shab 151b "ha'merachem, merachamin alav"; Dev 13:18). Ladder: **shalom bayis→tefilah**. **Yoducha kol ma'asecha**=asiyah/guf. **V'chasidecha yevar'chuchah**=nefesh (Mishlei 11:17 "gomel nafsho"). **K'vod malchus'cha yomeiru**=revelation of kavod; **u'gvurascha yedaberu**=gvurah=yirah (Ber 59a re'amim; Iyov 26:14).

Beginner: **"יב."** Intermediate: **"יב"** heading.

Beginner: **"Ner Chanukah — mitzvah to light **samuch l'pesach ha'bayis** (Shabbos 21b; SA OC 672)."** **"Hadlakas ha'ner = **ha'aras ha'kavod** — 'v'ha'aretz hei'irah mi'kvodo.' Therefore samuch l'pesach — 'da pischa ila'ah' = **yirah** (Zohar Chadash Tisa; Hakdamas ha'Zohar 7b, 11a) — returning kavod to its shoresh = yirah."** **"When does kavod rise? When people are returned to teshuvah and ba'alei teshuvah and gerim are made. Therefore: **zman hadlakas Ner Chanukah — mi'she'as yetzi'as ha'kochavim ad she'tichleh regel min ha'shuk** (Shabbos 21b; SA OC 672)."** **"**Yetzi'as ha'kochavim** = **'matz'dikei ha'rabim ka'kochavim'** (Daniel 12:3) — the ones who make ba'alei teshuvah and gerim, through whom the kavod shines and returns to shoresh = yirah, and we merit shalom, and machlokes is nullified."** **"**Ad she'tichleh regel min ha'shuk** (ha'shuk = the **chitzonim**); **'regel'** = **'nirgan mafrid aluf'** — ba'alei lashon hara and machlokes, who walk 'm'raglim u'medabrim rechilus v'lashon hara' — making divisions between ish u'chavero and ish v'ishto — **'lo ragal al leshono'** (Tehillim 15:3)."** **"Thus: light Ner Chanukah samuch l'pesach = illuminate kavod and return it to shoresh yirah → shalom → nullify the **nirgan mafrid aluf** — 'ad she'tichleh regel min ha'shuk' — nullify ba'alei lashon hara, and increase shalom."** **"When shalom klali is reached, all masa u'matan is nullified — because all trade stems from lack of shalom between will of seller and buyer; if the retzonos were equal, no business would happen. **'Va'yehi riv bein ro'ei miknei Avram u'vein ro'ei miknei Lot, v'ha'Kna'ani az ba'aretz'** (Bereshis 13:7) — **'Kna'ani' = socher** (as Rashi on Hoshea 12:8 'Kna'an b'yado'); riv → socharim. In the future, when shalom is wondrous — **'v'gar ze'ev im keves'** — trade is nullified — **'v'lo yihyeh Kna'ani od'** (Zechariah 14:21)."** **"Also: 'ad she'tichleh regel min ha'shuk' — the mitzvah is to light until **no foot remains in the shuk** — all trade nullified via shalom."** Intermediate: **Ner Chanukah samuch l'pesach** (Shab 21b; SA OC 672)=ha'aras kavod returning to shoresh=yirah (Zohar Chadash Tisa; Hakd Zohar 7b, 11a). **Zman**: **yetzi'as kochavim** (Dan 12:3 "matz'dikei ha'rabim ka'kochavim")=ba'alei teshuvah/gerim; **ad she'tichleh regel min ha'shuk**: regel="nirgan mafrid aluf" (Mishlei 16:28); lashon hara (Teh 15:3 "lo ragal al leshono"). Shalom→nullifies lashon hara. **Masa u'matan** from lack-shalom (Ber 13:7 "va'yehi riv / v'ha'Kna'ani"; Kna'an=socher, Rashi on Hosh 12:8). L'asid: shalom→"v'lo yihyeh Kna'ani od" (Zech 14:21).

Beginner: **"יג."** Intermediate: **"יג"** heading.

Beginner: **"(Belongs above.) According to the kavod one gives to yir'ei Hashem, so is the kavod raised to its root. As long as kavod is in galus, each according to his bechina mezalzels yir'ei Hashem; each according to his tikkun of the kavod, so honors yir'ei Hashem."** **"Honoring yir'ei Hashem = returning kavod to shoresh yirah → merits shalom."** **"Chazal (Shabbos 119b): **'ha'mevazeh talmid chacham, ein refuah l'makaso'** — 'one who disgraces a TCh has no refuah for his wound' — because disgracing TCh/mezalzel yir'ei Hashem = pogem in kavod, does not return it to shoresh yirah → no shalom → no refuah. All illness comes from machlokes — from yesodos warring and not behaving **ba'mezeg ha'shaveh** — from lack of shalom b'atzmav. Disgrace TCh → pogem shalom → no refuah: **'shalom shalom la'rachok v'la'karov, amar Hashem, u'rfasiv'** (Yeshayahu 57:19) — refuah only via shalom."** Intermediate: **Honoring yir'ei Hashem** ∝ raising kavod to shoresh yirah → shalom. **Mevazeh TCh — ein refuah l'makaso** (Shab 119b): pogem kavod → no shalom → illness (machlokes between yesodos, no mezeg shaveh) → no refuah ("shalom shalom... u'rfasiv," Yesh 57:19).

Beginner: **Reb Nosson's note**: **"At the time of saying this Torah, Rabbeinu mentioned **'ein maspidin b'Chanukah'** (Shabbos 21b; SA OC 670), and I don't remember what he said. (My humble interpretation: hesped is to repair **histalkus ha'kavod** that was blemished by the **histalkus of the tzaddik** who was matzdik ha'rabim — through whom the kavod mainly shines. Chazal: **'hespeida — y'kara d'chayei o y'kara di'sh'chavei'** (Sanhedrin 46b). In Chanukah we don't say hesped, because the kavod is already illuminated via Ner Chanukah.)"** Intermediate: R"N: **"ein maspidin b'Chanukah"** (Shab 21b; SA OC 670). R"N's guess: hesped=repair histalkus ha'kavod by tzaddik's death (matzdik ha'rabim; "hespeida y'kara d'chayei/d'shchavei," San 46b); Chanukah already illuminates kavod via Ner.

Beginner: **"(Belongs above.) **'V'li'fnei kavod anavah'** (Mishlei 15:33) — via anavah one merits kavod: elevation of kavod is via gerim + ba'alei teshuvah; that comes via Toras chesed; Torah is only via anavah. Hence: **kavod of kedushah requires anavah** — **'v'li'fnei kavod anavah.'**"** Intermediate: **"V'li'fnei kavod anavah"** (Mishlei 15:33): anavah→Torah→Toras chesed→gerim/ba"t→elevation of kavod. **Kavod kedushah only via anavah**.

Beginner: **The Torah's **yesod**: 5 things.** 1) Return kavod to yirah. 2) Yirah to the leiv. 3) Shalom klali. 4) Shalom perati. 5) Return people in teshuvah (bechina of **'im totzi yakar mi'zolel'**). This final item is the **tikkun keri** — **'asan d'dein k'asan d'dein'** ('their letters match theirs') — i.e., the teshuvah that rearranges the blemished letters into their proper order. Intermediate: **Yesod of Torah = 5**: (1) kavod→yirah; (2) yirah→leiv; (3) shalom klali; (4) shalom perati; (5) teshuvah ("im totzi yakar mi'zolel")=**tikkun keri** — **"asan d'dein k'asan d'dein"**.