B”H
Rosh HaShana in relation to the rest of the days of the year is like the head in relation to the body and the limbs
First day of slichos, 5710 (1950)
It is known that which is explained in several places in chassidus[1] the reason that it is called Rosh HaShana (I.e. the Head of the Year) rather than the Beginning of the Year – since this day in relation rest of the days of the year is like the head in relation to the body and limbs. Just as the head – includes within it the vitality of all of the limbs, and then also afterwards in a revealed sense, behold from the head is elicited vitality to each individual limb[2], thus the day of Rosh HaShana includes within it the vitality of all of the days of the year, as all of them are included within it in a concealed state, and then afterwards it divides in a revealed way into particular days.
And there is to say that this is one of the reasons for the cautioning that we have been advised to exceedingly make precious the time during the days of Rosh HaShana, since the hours and moments during these days are general, exalted over all of the rest of the days of the year, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively as in the example of the material of the brain within the head – in relation to the material of the rest of the limbs of the body.
And it is understood that just as it is with regards to the head and the limbs of the body, when one is considered to be healthy – then the vitality in the head is in its perfection, and it is also drawn forth from it to each and every limb with the vitality that is appropriate to it.
Thus is the service of the days of Rosh HaShana, as these days need to be appropriate to their theme – the head of the entire year. As well, they should also be connected with the rest of the days of the year – to infuse them with a vitality of acceptance of the yoke of His sovereignty, may He be blessed, the study of the Torah and the fulfillment of the commandments.
Connection with the head and Nasi of our generation
And behold among the matters, which help our service in general, and particularly in terms of the connection of Rosh HaShana with the rest of the days of the year, is the connection with the ‘heads of the thousands’ of Israel as his soul[3] is the aspect of the head and the brain in relation to the rest of the souls in his generation, from him do they nurture and receive their vitality, and through him they are connected and united with their original essence and root.
And so too with regards to each and every one of us the connection with the Nasi and the head of our generation – namely my honorable and holy teacher and father-in-law, our Master Teacher and Rebbe, behold I am the atonement for his burial (traditional phrase said during the first year after someone’s passing) – and we have already explained that the connection is through the study of his Torah and by going in ‘the straight way that he taught us from his ways and we will go in his paths’ – and this is what will help us in the service during the days of Rosh HaShana[4] and their connection to the rest of the days of the year.
And this will be the pipe through which will be elicited a good writing and sealing, with openly revealed good, physically and spiritually – during the days of Rosh HaShana and then afterwards throughout the day of the entire year.
(Letter of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Our Righteous King Messiah who will live forever, quoted from Shaarei Moadim – Rosh HaShana p. 74-75)
[1] See Likutei Torah beginning of parshas Tavo. Ateres Rosh in its beginning. Discourses of Rosh HaShana 5701, 5702 and more.
[2] See Tanya ch51
[3] Tanya ch2. And see what is written in the introduction of the Kuntres of Yud Beis Tammuz (Kuntres 80).
[4] And to note that which was told by …(the Previous Rebbe) on the second day of Rosh HaShana 5704, that since the year 5704 he would arrange to relate before his father to mention during the duration of the day the Baal Shem Tov, HaRav HaMaggid, the Admor HaZaken, the Mittler Rebbe, the Admor the Tzemach Tzedeck, the Admor Maharash, and sometimes also his uncles – sons of the Tzemach Tzedeck – he would relate from them some kind of story or word of Torah, briefly.
think good, it will be good (the Tzemach Tzedeck)
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