What is mesiras nefesh — self-sacrifice — in serving Hashem?
What is mesiras nefesh — self-sacrifice — in serving Hashem?
Mesiras nefesh, or self-sacrifice in serving Hashem, involves an absolute surrender to G-d's Unity, to the point of being ready to give up one's life [1], [2]. The Patriarchs exemplified this by constantly binding their minds and souls to G-d with absolute surrender [2].
Sources
- Hayom Yom, Hayom Yom, August 5 — Ad mitsui hanefesh. The identical phrase is used by the Sages (Sifri, Devarim 6:5) to describe the required degree of loving G‑d, "...with…
- Tanya, Tanya — Likutei Amarim, Chapter 34 — It is well known that the Patriarchs were truly the “chariot” of G–d.1 Cf. above, ch. 18, note 3. For throughout their lives they never for…
- Hayom Yom, Hayom Yom, March 5 — Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and le…
- Likkutei Torah, Likkutei Torah, Pinchas — צו את בני ישראל ואמרת אליהם את קרבני לחמי לאשי כו׳ ואמרת להם זה האשה כו׳. להבין מהו ואמרת ואמרת ב׳ פעמים. הנה כל המצות צריך האדם לקיים במחש…
- Igrot Kodesh, Letter 1833 — Tzedakah — [7 Elul 5712] I was satisfied to ascertain that you preoccupy yourself with the situation of shechitah* in your city. Nevertheless, I was v…
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