Find the PDF of the מאמר booklet ⁠here⁠.

Quoting the אלטער רבי, the רבי explains that the term "אור אין סוף" brings out the central idea of this פרק, that while we are not discussing Hashem Himself (מאור), this אור still has the infinite quality of being both מעלה and מטה.

This is referring to Hashem being "secret" even within Himself כביכול, as the רבי quotes from the מיטעלער רבי two ways to understand "סתימא דכל סתימין".

What does that mean? How can you have an אור - expression - that is inherently hidden?

Stay tuned...

Find the PDF of the מאמר booklet here.

Following the yearly cycle of באתי לגני, in this מאמר the רבי is explaining פרק ט"ז of the פריערדיקער רבי's מאמר, discussing the line from זהר that "אור אין סוף למעלה עד אין קץ".

After catching us up in סעיף א, the רבי uncovers the חידוש of the פריערדיקער רבי about this line, that we are discussing two opposites within the אור itself, and not only where it goes. Also, this is אור, not יכולת.

We finish this שיעור with a question: How could the definition of unlimited אור be limited to מעלה and מטה?!

Finishing the מאמר, the רבי explains the connection between חנוכה and סוכות, specifically the 70 bulls of the קרבן מוסף:

With חנוכה being the celebration of יחידה, we see how יחידה is used, not only as a defense against darkness, but as the key for transforming the darkness, which is also the idea of the 70 bulls, corresponding to the 70 nations.

After explaining the argument of the Greeks last week, the מאמר now explains how to fight against them, and how we see this in the story of חנוכה.

Being that the Greeks defiled all the oil (-intellect), the only way to be victorious against them is by using the unbeatable power of the יחידה. Not only is there no struggle when it comes to יחידה; there is not even a discussion, because in the יחידה perspective, because there is no other option! In two words: מסירות נפש.

This is what we celebrate on חנוכה - a Judaism centered around, and based on, unwavering dedication to Hashem, not because it makes sense, but because this is the only reality, and we are ready to defend this reality at any cost!

(Link to JLI's video mentioned in the Shiur)

What exactly was bothering the Greeks about Judaism?

What is at the core of doing מצות? Does understanding a מצוה weaken, or strengthen, one's connection to Hashem?

We explore the perspective of the רמב"ם regarding מצות, and then the perspective of חסידות - uncovering that the Greeks had a problem, not (only) with illogical מצות, but with the Jewish approach of entirely disregarding logic.

What is the connection between חנוכה and סוכות?

Why is חנוכה eight days?

What makes חנוכה be higher than השתלשלות?

Join us in this wonderful, fundamental מאמר on חנוכה, as we uncover the miraclous jug of oil and the powerful light therein - the powerful light of חנוכה!

Finishing the מאמר, the רבי explains the underlying theme of the two interpretations of "דילה הוו חיין" - owning your life through תשובה מאהבה, and מלכות being able to express itself with ביטול:

When the שרש is revealed, it brings about the unlimited power of being able to handle opposites, drawing down from higher than time into time, and the ביטול עצמי into expression.

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי fuses together the explanations of זהר and רש"י on "שני חיי שרה" in the opposite way as before - through "כולן שוין לטובה" one can reach "דילה הוו חיין":

When the source of מלכות is revealed, not only do the other ספירות benefit from it, מלכות itself becomes redefined. Instead of selflessness (ביטול) in contradiction to expression, מלכות can now express itself selflessly.

In our עבודה this means the ability to feel joy: not in contradiction to our selflessness to Hashem, but on the contrary - expressing it!