In the previous section, the Alter Rebbe explained that the ultimate reward associated with tzedakah is not merely the blessings one receives in this world, nor even the spiritual enjoyment of Gan Eden. Here he explains what that ultimate reward actually is.
- “Their Crowns Are Upon Their Heads”
The Alter Rebbe cites Chazal’s description of the righteous:
“ועטרותיהם בראשיהם ונהנין מזיו השכינה“
“Their crowns are on their heads, and they enjoy the radiance of the Shechinah.”
He focuses on the word:
“עטרה” (crown)
A crown surrounds a person rather than entering him internally.
Therefore “crown” symbolizes:
A transcendent revelation.
In Kabbalistic language, this corresponds to:
Keter
the level that transcends ordinary intellectual comprehension.
- What Is Keter?
The Alter Rebbe explains that Keter serves as a bridge between:
- The Infinite One (the Ma’atzil)
- The created spiritual realms
It is not part of the ordinary chain of understanding and comprehension.
Rather, it is a higher source from which revelation flows downward.
- The Future Revelation
In the future, at the time of the Resurrection,
this transcendent light will no longer remain hidden.
It will become revealed to the righteous in this world.
The verse:
“ועמך כולם צדיקים“
“Your people are all righteous”
is cited to show that this future state belongs to the Jewish people generally.
- Why Will the Righteous Be Called “Holy”?
The Alter Rebbe quotes the statement:
“עתידים צדיקים שיאמרו לפניהם קדוש“
The emphasis is on the word:
“קדוש“
which means:
Separate and beyond.
The future revelation will come from a level beyond normal human knowledge and understanding.
- Higher Than Wisdom
The Alter Rebbe notes:
“החכמה מאין תמצא“
“Wisdom emerges from Ayin.”
Even Chochmah, the highest level of understanding, comes from a source beyond itself.
That source is identified here with:
Keter
which the Zohar often calls:
“Ayin”
because it is beyond intellectual grasp.
- Why Does This Revelation Require a Body?
This is one of the most important points in the letter.
One might assume that a soul separated from the body would be capable of receiving the highest revelations.
The Alter Rebbe argues the opposite.
The revelation of Keter is specifically destined for:
Souls clothed once again in bodies after the Resurrection.
This is connected to the principle:
“נעוץ תחילתן בסופן“
“The beginning is rooted in the end.”
And:
“סוף מעשה במחשבה תחילה“
The physical world, which appears lowest, is connected to the highest Divine intention.
- Yet Gan Eden Comes First
Even though Resurrection is higher than Gan Eden,
a soul must first pass through Gan Eden.
Why?
Because Gan Eden prepares the soul.
There the soul acquires knowledge and perception of Divine wisdom according to its capacity.
Only after that preparation can it receive the higher revelation that transcends understanding.
- “The Dew of Torah Will Revive Them”
The Alter Rebbe alludes to Chazal’s teaching that:
“טל תורה מחייהו“
“The dew of Torah revives them.”
The Torah studied by a person in this world ultimately serves as the means through which resurrection and future revelation become possible.
Gan Eden vs. Resurrection
The contrast can be summarized as follows:
Gan Eden
- Based on understanding.
- Spiritual comprehension.
- Revelation of Memaleh Kol Almin.
- Each soul receives according to its capacity.
Resurrection
- Beyond understanding.
- Revelation of Sovev Kol Almin.
- Not limited by intellectual capacity.
- A far greater revelation than Gan Eden.
Key Takeaway
The Alter Rebbe teaches that Gan Eden is not the ultimate destination. Gan Eden provides a measured revelation of Divine wisdom that the soul can understand. The Resurrection, however, will reveal a transcendent Divine light rooted in Keter, beyond all comprehension. This higher revelation can be experienced specifically by souls reunited with purified bodies, demonstrating that the final purpose of creation lies not in escaping the physical world, but in elevating it.