Daily Tanya Sunday 18th Marcheshvan Igeres Hakodesh 28: The Moment of Passing: The Revelation of ‘Notzer Chesed’ and Its Cosmic Impact

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Overview:

This passage explains the mystical significance of a tzaddik’s passing, describing how it becomes an “Et Ratzon” (time of favor) that draws down immense Divine light from the highest spiritual source—Tikkun ‘Notzer Chesed’—to effect cosmic rectification and atonement for the generation.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. Source of the Light
  • The Zohar teaches that at the time of a tzaddik’s passing, Tikkun ‘Notzer Chesed’ shines forth.
  • “Notzer” shares letters with “Ratzon” (will), indicating a revelation of Divine favor.
  • This light originates from Mocha Stimaa of Arich Anpin, the root of all rectifications and the power to transform darkness into light.

  1. Why It Occurs at Passing
  • During life, the tzaddik elevates Mayin Nukvin (feminine waters) through:
    • Kriyat Shema with mesirat nefesh (self-sacrifice) morning and evening.
    • Torah study, which stems from Chochmah.
  • At passing, all the spiritual work done in concealment during life becomes revealed and radiates downward.

  1. Effect of the Revelation
  • The light of “Notzer Chesed” brings:
    • Chesed Hashem mei’olam ad olam al yerei’av—eternal kindness upon those who fear Him.
    • Po’el yeshuot bekerev ha’aretz—salvations in the earth.
  • It atones for the sins of the generation—even deliberate sins from the three impure kelipot—because this light reaches the source of all birurim (refinements).

  1. Contrast with Korbanot
  • Sacrifices on the altar only atone for unintentional sins stemming from the animal soul (Kelipat Nogah).
  • The tzaddik’s passing, however, draws light that purifies even the deepest impurity.

  1. Scriptural and Midrashic Allusions
  • This is why the section of Parah Adumah (red heifer) is juxtaposed—its ashes purify from the most severe impurity.
  • Yalkut Shimoni refers to this as “Mei Chatat”, hinting at ultimate purification.

Takeaway:

The passing of a tzaddik is not only a moment of loss but a cosmic event of rectification, revealing the hidden fruits of a lifetime of spiritual labor and drawing down infinite Divine kindness to transform darkness into light.

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.