THE REBBE'S DISCOURSES

This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Shuva, Parshat Vayelech, 5723 (1962). When the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, the Torah requires that he be completely alone; the Jerusalem Talmud adds that not even angels were permitted there. The discourse, drawing on the Tzemach Tzedek, explains that this unique solitude is because the revelation at that moment transcends even the angelic worlds, reaching the level of the Divine Essence itself.

This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Shuva (Shabbat of Repentance), 5730 (1969). The Haftorah begins 'Return Israel to Hashem your G-d, take with you words and return to G-d', and the discourse asks why the higher name 'Israel' rather than 'Jacob' is used when addressing people who have sinned. It explores multiple dimensions of repentance, including the concept of verbal prayer as a substitute for Temple offerings.

This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech, 5727 (1967). The verse 'Even if your scattered ones will be at the ends of the heavens, from there G-d will gather you' is explored on both a simple and a spiritual level. The Rebbe teaches that the physical gathering of the Jewish people at the Redemption requires first the spiritual gathering of scattered souls, as the unity of the Jewish people is the prerequisite for divine blessing.

This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Nitzavim, 5725 (1965). The Sedra begins with all of the Jewish people standing together before G-d, and Rabbi Shneur Zalman points out that this Sedra is always read before Rosh Hashanah. The discourse explains the ten levels of the Jewish people and their spiritual significance, and how the hewers of wood and drawers of water represent the inner work of cutting away false counsel and pouring away lustful desires.