How the Rebbe saw Torah

An excerpt from Rabbi Paltiel's class on ma'amor Vayeitzei (hemshech Samech Vov), where he describes a story of one talmid chochom comparing the Rebbe to Rambam and describing how both saw Torah. This also explains why it's so valuable to learn your daily Rambam (besides hiskashrus to the Rebbe).



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The whole shiur (second from the series) is very nice too. Elucidation of the idea introduced in the first shiur that pnimiyus Abba — pnimiyus Attik, that in Chochma of Atzilus (Abba), there is a package of Atzmus, Hashem's Essence (which is copied, literally, in Attik). Which is why we can reach Hashem's Essence not only through mitzvos and mesirus nefesh, but also through struggling in Torah.

He brings an interesting illustration. In Tanya we say that nefesh elokis is a part of Essence, literally, and then we start talking about Chochma Ila'ah (the Higher Chochma) being the source of the souls, just like the brain of the father is the source of the nails of the son. Wait a second, how did we get from the Essence to Chochma all of a sudden? Because the Essence is packaged in Chochma (which makes it accessible through toil in Torah).

Which shows again: we learn Tanya, and we have no idea what we're learning. (We, Nicholas II.)

Then again: the whole idea of memutza hamafsik vs. memutza hamechaber. A transmitter (intermediary) who connects but not separates. Which is what the Rebbe said a Rebbe is. You're trying to get to Eibeshter? Go through the Rebbe.

Every misnaged who has ever read this had an immediate knee-jerk reflex. So, don't get nervous: the Rebbe is a transmitter who connects. You hold a piece of string in your hand; the Rebbe holds the other end. Eibeshter holds a piece of string; the Rebbe holds another end. The Rebbe takes the two ends of two strings and ties them together. Now, you're holding one piece of the string; the Eibeshter is holding the other.

You're not talking to Eibeshter through the Rebbe. The Rebbe is a shadchan. He brings two parties into the room, makes an introduction, puts the tea and cake on the table, and leaves the room (or stays in the room; but the point is: you're talking to your shidduch eye-to-eye).

Fine. That's the pshat I heard. But if you look at the original place where the two transmitters were introduced (Samech Vov), the Rebbe Rashab's pshat is completely different. Atik takes Atzmus in a package and doesn't do anything to it. It's not influenced by it; it does not influence it. Attik gives it to Chochma. Chochma gives it to us. One courier passes a black box to another, not peeking through. What's inside? Nobody has seen it.

So, the Rebbe takes Eibeshter and transmits to us. But it's not like we're getting Eibeshter through the Rebbe. We are getting Him from the Rebbe. Why is that OK? Because Eibeshter was in a black box.

Obviously, I have no idea what I am talking about. This is just a glimpse.