Daily Tanya Monday 8th Elul Igeres Hakodesh 12: Distinction Between Actions and Service

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Distinction Between Actions and Service

The passage differentiates between “actions” and “service” of righteousness, and between “peace” and “quiet trust,” exploring their deeper spiritual significance.

Harmony Among Opposing Forces

Drawing from the teaching, “He makes peace in His heights,” it describes how the angel Michael (representing water and kindness) and Gabriel (representing fire and strength) coexist without conflict, even though their natures are opposite.

Divine Source of Peace

This peace is possible because the Divine reveals an overwhelming and infinite light, transcending all attributes and limitations. When these opposing qualities return to their source, they become unified and nullified in the Divine radiance.

Mercy as the Balancing Attribute

The blending and softening of strictness (strength) with kindness occurs through an intermediary state—mercy (Tiferet)—which includes both qualities and leans toward kindness.

Tiferet and the Divine Name

The Divine Name most often refers to the attribute of Tiferet, as found in mystical teachings like the Zohar, because it represents the direct revelation of the infinite Divine light, more than any other attribute.

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.

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