Class One. This מאמר is מוגה. This מאמר begins typically enough but then turns on its head. (in this class we learned the beginning and the end of the מאמר the middle we’ll do next time). The first explanation is: ציון are Yidden who stand out in Galus and deserve “משפט” redemption; while שבי’ה are…

Two levels of wholeness and perfection and the difference between them: 1) אלה תולדות השמים והארץ בהבראם- עולם על מילואו נברא. 2) אלה תודות פרץ- לעתיד לבא יעלה הפורץ לפניהם. These are two levels of perfection, one at the beginning of time where everything is A. potential and not yet actual, B. limited and in…

Class One. Heaven and earth are beyond any form: they refer to Torah and Mitzvos. In the beginning, the heaven and the earth are: 1) potential and not actual, 2) finite and not infinite. Class Two. In the end heaven and earth are 1) actual, 2) infinite. This is the פסוק: כי כאשר השמים החדשים…

The Zohar compares אברהם to the first of the עשרת הדברות which corresponds to all רמ”ח מצות עשה. This theme is consistent with the idea of לאתקנא רזא דשמי’ה to bring more light into the vessels of אצילות and to expand the vessels. This is the meaning of ואגדלה שמיך- of Hashem! It is achieved…

Class One. The part of the מאמר we learned first, deals with שמח תשמח רעים האהובים= חכמה ובינה and the spiritual unity they have. Though there is natural Joy in בינה and especially in חכמה- מקום התענוג שלמעלה משמחה but their Joy is מורכב and therefore finite. The unconditional infinite Joy which we ask Hashem…

Class One. Shabbos is higher than Rosh Chodesh and Rosh Hashana as it is completely above time (while Rosh Chodesh and Rosh Hashana are higher ideas IN time but not above it). The strength for מחר חודש always comes from Shabbos- what is completely above time. Class Two. This is the classic Ma’amar of Machar…

Class One. The question: why speak of Yetzias Mitzrayim after Moshiach comes, since that redemption will be much higher? Answer One: Because there is some similarity, as both are connected to revealing the 50 gates of Bina (but not on the same levels). Answer two: Because all Geulos -freedom- begins with Yetzias Mitzrayim and it…

Class One. This part of the Ma’amar (which is the largest part of the Ma’amar) explores many levels of life and connection: 1) Food and drink, 2) Wine, 3) Water that is higher than wine, 4) Oil, 5) Good smell, 6) Light. Each of these six are found in the Beis HaMikdash and the Ma’amar…

This מאמר was said at the סיום ספר תורה for the בית הכנסת בית מנחם in כפר חב”ד. The בירור of תורה itself in four ideas: 1) פדה בשלום the redemption from the struggle of עולמות בפשיטות happens peaceably. 2) מקרב The struggle to redeem תורה happens with a battle from close up מקרב that…

For there to be a peaceful resolution to war, there must be war. But some victories are “peaceful”.