Maamar Vihaya Ki Savo 5738 Self-Transformation Through Torah and Mitzvos (originally the Rebbe taught this ma’amar on Chai Elul on a Wednesday) 0:00 – 7:20 Intro thoughts on the founding of Tomchei T’mimim on 17 Elul This maamar on Parshas Ki Savo – the inner meaning of the following 4 ideas and their order is analyzed. 1. Eretz Yisrael is taken 2. Eretz Yisrael is given as a gift 3. Eretz Yisrael is given as an inheritance 4. Eretz Yisrael is settled The code to this ma’amar is to explain “Eretz Yisrael” spiritually and thus unlock the meaning of these four points above. The bottom line is that “Going into Eretz Yisrael” means doing “Torah and Mitzvos” with joy and motivation because the reward of Torah and Mitzvos is connection with Hashem. The class explains this relationship and the linkage between the analysis of “eretz (land)” understood as meaning “will”. (To jump to the conclusion go to 52:18) Key questions and points covered in the class: 1. How do you take something on your own and then be given the same thing as a gift? 2. What is the difference between a gift and an inheritance?* 3. What is the joy of Eretz Yisroel spiritually? It is joy of doing Torah and Mitzvos 4. The vav of “u’davash” (from the parsha before Ki Savo) plus “ha yom hazeh Hashem” (from Ki Savo) together is vav kay kay yud – one of the spellings of Hashem’s name. 5. What day is “ha yom hazeh” referring to? * Notes on Jewish inheritance versus a gift: An inheritance in Jewish law does not involve giving. There is no change of ownership because the child is one with the parents so the assets pass to the children but remain within the family. A gift necessarily involves an exchange – the gift is given to receiver who has a relationship with the giver. There is something exchanged – whatever is done to earn the gift – whether it is love or attention bestowed or hard work. The gift involves an exchange – when God gives a gift it is considered to be an action. A note on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s style of teaching: A striking feature of this ma’amar is the Rebbe’s immediate need to speak about “avoda” (active service). This is a common theme of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s writing – he is focused on “what do we need to do”. He does not tend to lay out extensive philosophy for its own sake.
