אות - קלא

In Likutay Moharan Part One, section 14, beginning "Tiku" etc. — "to draw peace" — this Torah was said on Shabbas Chanukah. And at that time a renowned pious rabbi passed away — our teacher Rabbi Gedalyah, the memory of the Tzadik is for blessing, the av beis din of the holy community of Linitz (266). And he hinted in that Torah a eulogy for the aforementioned rabbi. For he mentioned then within the Torah what our Sages o.b.m. said (267): "One does not eulogize on Chanukah." He also said then that now it is difficult to say Torah, for when a Tzadik passes away it is difficult to say Torah. For every Tzadik departs together with all his portion that he has in the Torah. For every Tzadik has a portion in the Torah, and when he departs he departs together with all his portion in the Torah. Therefore then it is difficult to say Torah.

What is written there in section 4 — on the statement of our Sages o.b.m. (Nedarim 81a): "Why is it that the sons of Torah scholars are not Torah scholars themselves? Because they did not bless the Torah first" — I heard from him o.b.m. more about this. For the offspring follows the foods that were first eaten etc. And every person must bless and sanctify the "beginning" aspect — that is, what comes first and before the offspring, namely the eating and all his affairs etc. — so that the offspring will be drawn in holiness and purity as is fitting (268). And this is: "because they did not bless the Torah first" — meaning they did not bless and sanctify with the holiness of Torah the "beginning" aspect, that is, what comes first and before the offspring as mentioned. For one must bless and sanctify the beginning aspect of the offspring with the Torah. And then his son too will be a Torah scholar as mentioned above.

266. RAK: This Torah was said on the 2nd of Teves 5564. Rabbi Gedalyah of Linitz was a disciple of Rabbi Yehudah Leib the Maggid of Polnoye, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. He initiated the printing of the book "Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov." When the Elder of Shpola contended against Rabbainu, he sided with Rabbainu. 267. RAK: Shabbas 21b; Orach Chaim 670:1. Likutay Moharan 14.

268. RAK: See above 32, 40. Likutay Moharan 2. See Eitz Chaim, Gate of Illumination of the Mind, chapter 7.