Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7756 — Community

By the grace of Hashem,

Eve of Shabbos* Parshas* Nitzavim* 5721,

"You are standing this day"

Brooklyn, New York,

To the sons and daughters of Israel,

wherever they may be,

may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you abundantly,

We find ourselves in the days of preparation for the new year that is coming, for us and for all of Israel, for good and for blessing. In every situation, our Torah*, Torah* of life, delivers the teaching and is the guide of a Jew. However, this is even more clearly so, and in a much more important manner, when it concerns preparing for a new year. Indeed, one asks, one wishes, that it introduce a much better life, in all domains.

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The Sidrah* that we study these days, that of Nitzavim*, "You are all standing this day," is always read (note 1: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "Likkutei Torah*, of the Alter Rebbe*, at the beginning of Parshas* Nitzavim*") before Rosh Hashanah*. In fact, the expression: "this day" alludes to Rosh Hashanah* (note 2: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Zohar*, volume 3, at page 231a"). Now, from its very beginning, it delivers a teaching in conformity with what has just been said:

"You are all standing, this day, before Hashem your Elokim*." Thus, the Jews must stand, must "find themselves" with firmness and boldness, without being affected by the fact that they are "the minority among the nations." Now, this can only be so (note 3: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "Midrash* Tanchuma*, beginning of Parshas* Nitzavim*") when they gather and unite "all together." In fact, how does one elicit a true and lasting union between different personalities, having divergent ideas, personal interests, and subject to other limitations still?

The answer is the following: it is fitting to stand "before Hashem your Elokim*." The union of Jews is possible when (note 4: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Tanya*, at chapter 32") they themselves are attached to their soul, to their divine soul, which is a "portion of the Divine above, truly." Each person possesses one, without any exception. And, when one meditates profoundly on the fact that one stands: "before Hashem," Who is: "your Elokim*," that is, your strength and your vitality (note 5: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Shulchan Aruch*, Orach Chaim*, at chapter 5"), one expresses and fully reveals the bond that exists between Jews or the relationship of each individual with the community.

What are the purpose and the objective of this union? The verse specifies it immediately: "to cause you to enter into the covenant of Hashem your Elokim* and His oath, which Hashem your Elokim* concludes with you, this day" in a renewed manner (note 6: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "See tractate Rosh Hashanah* 16a, which says: 'in order to proclaim My Kingship upon you' and Iggeres HaKodesh*, of the Alter Rebbe*, at chapter 14"). This bond is established "so that you constitute His people," that of Hashem, a people whose daily conduct conforms to the Torah* of Hashem and which submits to all His injunctions.

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May Hashem grant that each man and each woman put into practice the manner of preparing that has just been defined, in the most positive and the broadest way. And, may the new year, which is approaching, be good and sweet, materially and spiritually. With my blessing to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year, of a visible and tangible good,

Menachem Schneerson,