Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6962 — Tzedakah

(6 Menachem Av* 5719)

The Mechilta* (note 1: This letter is addressed to Rav* Mordechai Mentlik, of Brooklyn. It was written on his own letter, which was dated 6 Menachem Av 5719 and said: "In the talk of Simchas Torah 5718, it is explained that all twenty-four hours of Shabbos, with the time added to it, constitute only a single point, and the Mechilta is cited as proof. Now, the talk of 13 Tammuz 5719 cites this same explanation in the name of the Gaon of Rogatchov and emphasizes that, were it not for this verse, one could have thought that it is a single point. The verse therefore establishes that this is not the case and that Shabbos is, in reality, a collection of instants"), at Parshas* Tissa*, can be interpreted in two ways:

A) The verse shows that Shabbos* is a collection of instants, which contradicts the hypothesis under consideration (note 2: According to which Shabbos would be a single point).

B) The verse can also teach that Shabbos*, although it is a single point, can include successive transgressions (note 3: One could imagine, if one accepts that Shabbos is a single point, that all transgressions committed during the same Shabbos would cumulate to constitute a single transgression. Then, the verse, according to the interpretation of the Mechilta, specifies that this is not the case). It is in this regard that it is said: "Those who transgress it... (note 4: Shall be put to death)," in the plural (note 5: Alluding to multiple transgressions).

In fact, Malchus*, the Attribute of Divine Kingship, which corresponds to Shabbos*, alludes to all of this, since it consists of a Yud — that is, a point directed upward (note 6: Presenting Shabbos as a single point) — and a Hei — a surface (note 7: Broad, alluding to multiple transgressions) enabling reception (note 8: See, on this subject, letters nos. 176 and 183, as well as the lengthy explanation of Likkutei Sichos, volume 5, from page 50).

ו'תתקסב*

*[ו' מנ"א תשי"ט]

בהמכילתא (תשא) יל"פ בב' אופנים

א) שהכתוב מלמדנו שהשבת מצורף ודלא כהקס"ד.

ב) שהכתוב מלמדנו שאע"פ שהשבת נקודה, בכ"ז יש חילול אחר חילול כיון שנאמר מחללי' ל' רבים.

להעיר שספי' המל' (שבת) - מורה עלי': אות י' (נקודה כלפי מעלה) ואות ה' ( שטח המקבל).