THEMES of Featured Chasidic Masters Articles

Jacob's two wives, Leah and Rachel, are embodiments of two worlds: "the unknowable" world of thought, and the "lower world," the world of speech. Leah embodies the world of thought, the hidden world, known as Alma di'itkasya. Rachel embodies the world of speech, the revealed world, known as Alma di'itgalya.

Leah and Rachel represent two dimensions in each of our spouses, women and men alike. Rachel embodies the attractive, charming and romantic features of our spouse. "Leah" represents their more complicated, perplexing and disturbing elements.

You may think that you are marrying Rachel but you will discover that you ended up with Leah, possessing layers of unresolved wounds and tension. Eventually you will realize that it is precisely the Leah dimension that challenges you to transcend your ego and become the best you can be.

Jacob became a tzadik through consistent divine service, endowing us with the ability to stay on the path while increasing the level of service every day. Thus can one become "...a ladder standing on the ground, whose top reaches up to the heavens", his feet firmly planted on the ground while his head and heart soar in the heavens.

The universe is the space G-d creates for mankind through an act of withdrawal. No single act more profoundly indicates the love and generosity implicit in Creation. The same applies in human relationships. Love, like the act of creation, is the courageous act of creating space for the presence of the other.