THEMES of Featured Chasidic Masters Articles

It appears to us that our earthly existence is "reality" and anything we cannot see or touch is only "ideal", "imagination", or some such term. Thus, we speak of having been created by G-d "something out of nothing" - as though we are the "something" and G-d is the "nothing". But it is He Who is the true existence, the true "Something", and we who are but "nothing" before Him.

Moses offered two modes of rebuke in the beginning of Parashat Devarim, one cryptic and the second less subtle. The Tzemach Tzedek teaches that Moses addressed two different elements within the psyche of his listeners: the "hidden" and the "revealed". The hidden, related to the mystical aspects of the Torah, was addressed indirectly - while the revealed was addressed directly.

The Tribe of Gad insisted on settling East of the Jordan in order to remain with Moses, who was destined to be buried there. But they failed to realize that Moses’ true presence would not remain interred in the plains of Moab but would live on in his vision, that the Jewish people fulfill their G-d given mandate to enter the Land of Canaan, settle it and transform it into a Holy Land.

When the Temple was standing, the special unity between G-d and the Jews was readily apparent and existed all week. Although the unification was greater on Shabbat, it wasn't an appreciable greater source of joy.

Now that the Temple is no longer standing and there is a lack of unity, when Shabbat comes and the Jews are able to renew their connection once again with G-d, He especially rejoices in this unity with His people.