The Alter Rebbe explains the verse:
“וְהָיָה מַעֲשֵׂה הַצְּדָקָה שָׁלוֹם, וַעֲבוֹדַת הַצְּדָקָה הַשְׁקֵט וָבֶטַח עַד עוֹלָם“
“The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
He begins by asking:
- Why does the verse use both “ma’aseh” (deed) and “avodah” (service)?
- Why does it mention both “shalom” (peace) and “hashket va’vetach” (tranquility and security)?
- What Is Peace?
The Alter Rebbe cites Chazal on the verse:
“He makes peace in His heights.”
The Gemara explains:
- Michael represents water and chesed.
- Gavriel represents fire and gevurah.
Normally, fire and water oppose one another.
Yet in Heaven they coexist peacefully.
- The Two Opposing Forces
On the simple level:
Chesed (Water)
- Gives
- Flows downward
- Expands and nourishes
Gevurah (Fire)
- Restrains
- Limits
- Withdraws and contracts
These are naturally opposite tendencies.
- How Are They Reconciled?
The peace is not because one side defeats the other.
Rather, both become subordinate to something much greater:
The revelation of Hashem’s Infinite Light.
When the Divine source is revealed, the opposing forces recognize their common root and cease to conflict.
- The Role of Tiferet (Mercy)
This harmony is achieved through:
Rachamim (Mercy)
which is called Tiferet.
Mercy blends:
- Chesed
- Gevurah
into a higher unity.
That is why Tiferet is described as containing both:
- White (kindness)
- Red (severity)
- What Does This Have To Do With Tzedakah?
The Alter Rebbe’s point is that tzedakah creates this same type of peace.
When a person gives tzedakah:
- He overcomes self-concern.
- He connects with another person.
- He draws Divine kindness into the world.
This awakens a higher Divine revelation that harmonizes opposing forces.
- Why Is Hashem’s Name Associated with Tiferet?
The Alter Rebbe notes that the Divine Name Havayah often refers to the attribute of Tiferet.
Because Tiferet is where a greater revelation of the Infinite Light shines than in the individual attributes alone.
There, opposites can coexist and unite.
Key Takeaway
The peshat of this passage is that true peace is not the absence of differences but the unification of opposites through a higher purpose. Just as Hashem makes peace between the opposing forces of chesed and gevurah, tzedakah draws down a Divine revelation that creates harmony, mercy, and unity where conflict would otherwise exist.