As we begin this מאמר for אחרון של פסח, we delve into משיח's positions as a teacher and as a king, and how it pertains to our preparatory עבודה now in גלות by expressing our מדה of נצחון; steadfast commitment to תורה and מצות in a logic-defying manner.

In honor of the סיום ספר תורה taking place in Congregation Ohel Nosson in Crown Heights, we learn the historical מאמר that the רבי said on ט שבט in the year 5730 (1970) in honor of the סיום of the special ספר תורה began by the פריערדיקער רבי in 5702 (1942) with which to greet משיח.

After a brief overview of the history of the ספר תורה and the מאמר, we begin the מאמר inside, but discuss most of the מאמר outside.

What is the significance of writing a ספר תורה? Why were the first ספרי תורה written specifically through משה רבינו? What is the connection of a ספר תורה and משיח?

Find out all that and more in this special שיעור!

Finishing the מאמר, the רבי connects our discussion with a פסוק in פרשת כי תשא, where משה asks Hashem for "חן".

We end up with a deep appreciation for the value of our עבודה, and how it accomplishes more than what was originally set up within the process of the world.

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי shows us how this power of כתית למאור and consistently fulfilling Hashem's Will is rooted in our connection to the משה רבינו within every generation and within ourselves.

It is this staunch commitment to תורה and מצות with מסירות נפש that enables us to bring out a deeper connection to the תורה than by מתן תורה itself!

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי explains the necessity, and the benefits, of living a life of מסירות נפש. That is correct, living. Because, as we explain in the שיעור, the רבי is speaking to a generation that is not necessarily required to die with מסירות נפש, but is absolutely required to live with it.

What dies it mean to live with מסירות נפש? What is the litmus test that you are serving Hashem and not yourself? We bring from a מאמר of the אלטער רבי to shed light on this crucial topic.

The רבי then continues to explain what חינוך is and its connection to מסירות נפש.

The רבי explains the historic מאמר of the פריערדיקער רבי from 51 years prior, in the year 5687 (1927).

In this שיעור, we explore the history of the מאמר, and begin the explanation of how the מסירות נפש of the אידן in the times of מרדכי effected what even מתן תורה could not!

As the רבי explains, the "כתית" that leads to the "מאור" - the oppression that leads one to uncover their essence - does not חס ושלום need to be one of physical, or even spiritual, lacking. Rather, when a person contemplates their state of being in contrast to how they should be as Hashem's chosen nation, they connect to Hashem from a state of the essence of their נשמה.

Finishing פרק י"ד, the פריערדיקער רבי explains this phenomenon of the אור extending itself into even the lowest of levels and yet retaining its essence of being אין סוף.

We explore this identity of "אור אין סוף", as well as the contrast of אור and כח, and the example of the light shining through the colored glass, as illuminated by the רבי in תשכ"ד.

The punchline of this פרק is - being that this אור אין סוף exists even within the lowest and lowliest of levels, it is our עבודה to reveal it, expressing Hashem's Essential Existence within our world and our reality!

In this שיעור, we begin פרק י"ד of the פריערדיקער רבי's המשך, with the explanations of the רבי from באתי לגני תשכ"ד.The theme of this פרק is how Hashem gives life to everything in this world, from the highest of creations to the lowest.As the רבי further explains, this includes even the deepest forms of קליפות, and even man-made situations of negativity. Hashem is everywhere, giving energy to everything, in every situation.It is our job to uncover that connection and to transform every situation to one of revealed G-dliness!

As we finish the מאמר, the רבי explains the difference between the closeness of "אור" and the distance of "שם".

However, it is specifically in the concealment of שם where the Essence of Hashem is available, and our עבודה of revealing it is accomplished.

That is the עבודה of באתי לגני - creating the connection from within the separation!

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי merges the discussion of פרק יג - last year's פרק - with פרק יד - this year's פרק:

After showing how lowly and dark this world is, we appreciate the power of אור אין סוף in that Hashem's Infinite Light is (not only here but) relatable even within this physical world!

How?

The רבי delves into the fundamental סוגיא in חסידות, exploring the various descriptions used for Hashem's Presence being expressed in creation: "אור", "חיות" and "כח". We specifically highlight the difference between the connection of "אור" and the separation of "כח".

What about "שם"? Join us in next שיעור...