Hayom Yom 2 Adar 1 - Intellectual service of G‑d, search for the truth
The daily Hayom Yom with Rabbi Yosef Katzman · Rabbi Yosef Katzman
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Show Notes
רַבֵּנוּ הַגָּדוֹל — הַזָּקֵן
The Alter Rebbe
סִדֵּר לִפְנֵי אַנְשֵׁי שְׁלוֹמֵינוּ הָעֲבוֹדָה בְּמוֹחַ וּלְחַפֵּשׂ אֶת הָאֱמֶת
provided the members of the chassidic brotherhood with a path in the intellectual service of G‑d and the search for the truth.
לְבַקֵּר כָּל תְּנוּעָה, שֶׁתִּהְיֶה רַק כְּפִי הָאֱמֶת
This entails examining whether every action is dictated only by the truth
וּבָאָה עַל יְדֵי עֲבוֹדָה
and is motivated by one’s endeavors in Divine service.
וַעֲבוֹדָה זוֹ אֵינָהּ כְּמוֹ שֶׁטּוֹעִים בְּזֶה טָעוּת גָּמוּר לַחְשׁוֹב שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְפָרֵק הָרִים וּלְשַׁבֵּר סְלָעִים, אִיבּעֶרקעֶרעֶן דִי וועֶלט
This path of service does not involve breaking down mountains, shattering boulders and overturning the world, as some utterly mistaken people think.
הָאֱמֶת הַגָּמוּר הוּא, אֲשֶׁר כָּל עֲבוֹדָה וּפוֹעַל, אֵיזֶה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ, בְּכַוָּנָה אֲמִתִּית דַּי וּמַסְפִּיק
The simple truth is that any activity or endeavor, whatever it may be, if it is carried out with sincere intent, suffices:
אַ בְּרָכָה בְּכַוָּנָה
a blessing recited with concentration;
דעֶם וואָרט אִין דאַוונעֶן כִּדְבָעִי בַּהֲכָנַת הַלֵּב וּבִידִיעָה לִפְנֵי מִי אַתָּה עוֹמֵד
the words of prayer uttered with a prepared heart and with a knowledge of “before Whom one stands”;
אַ פָּסוּק חוּמָשׁ בִּידִיעָה שֶׁהוּא דְבַר ה
a verse from Chumash with the awareness that it is the Word of G‑d;
אַ פָּסוּק תְּהִלִּים
a verse from Tehillim;
וּמִּדָה טוֹבָה לְקָרֵב לִבּוֹ שֶׁל חֲבֵרוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וְחִבָּה
or the positive trait of drawing one’s friend close with love and affection.
אֱמֶת הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר בִּכְדֵי לְהַגִּיעַ לָזֶה צְרִיכִים יְגִיעָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה
True, to attain this requires awesome and tremendous exertion.
פָּשׁוּט לעֶרנעֶן אַ רִבּוּי אוּן פאַרשְׁטֵיין — כָּל אֶחָד לְפִי עֶרְכּוֹ
One must study extensively and with understanding, every individual according to his level.
וְאָז ה' בְּעֶזְרוֹ שֶׁיִּהְיֶ' כְּפִי הָאֱמֶת
G‑d will then help him [so that his efforts] will be genuine.
Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English