Daily Tanya Monday 19th Marcheshvan Igeres Hakodesh 29: Why Halachot Are Called the Crown of Torah: The Need for Spiritual Garments

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Igeres Hakodesh 29

19th Marcheshvan

Why Halachot Are Called the Crown of Torah: The Need for Spiritual Garments

 

Overview:

This passage explores why halachot (Jewish laws) are referred to as the “crown of Torah” and why studying them fulfills one’s obligation even with minimal daily learning. It connects this to the mystical concept that every soul requires spiritual garments formed by Torah and mitzvot to experience Divine light without losing its identity.

 

Summary of Key Points:

  1. The Question
  • Why are halachot called “the crown of Torah”?
  • Why does one who studies halachot specifically merit assurance of eternal life, unlike other Torah topics?
  • Why does even one chapter of halachot daily fulfill the obligation?

 

  1. The Arizal’s Teaching
  • Every Jew must complete all 613 mitzvot in thought, speech, and action—sometimes through multiple lifetimes.
  • This is to create complete spiritual garments for the soul, so it is not lacking in any aspect.

 

  1. Why Garments Are Necessary
  • The soul is a created entity and cannot directly receive the infinite sweetness of Divine light (“Noam Hashem”) without being nullified.
  • Even after immense contractions and coverings (tzimtzumim), the light remains too intense.
  • Therefore, the soul needs garments derived from Torah and mitzvot, which are of the same essence as the light, allowing the soul to enjoy the radiance without losing its existence.

 

  1. Analogy
  • Like viewing the sun through a clear glass pane: the light is experienced without harm.
  • Similarly, Moshe entered the cloud to behold Divine glory—through a covering that enabled perception.

 

  1. Why Halachot Are the Crown
  • Halachot represent the practical will of God, the ultimate expression of His essence.
  • They form the essential garments for the soul, enabling eternal delight in the Divine presence.
  • This explains why even minimal daily study of halachot fulfills the obligation—it connects the soul to the crown of Torah.

 

Takeaway:

Halachot are called the crown of Torah because they embody God’s will in its purest form and create the garments necessary for the soul to experience infinite Divine pleasure without being nullified. This is why their study is so vital and uniquely meritorious.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.