Avrohom Avinu's Path: Truth

הלכות גניבה ה"ה

(Painting by Miriam Schulman)

Avrohom Avinu was the first to reveal the truth of Hashem's oneness in the world. Therefore, he merited everything included in Torah 9 of the second volume in Likutei Moharan (and Torah 7 in LM I).  There, the Rebbe explains that through truth one is able to acquire Eretz Yisroel, prayer, faith in Hashem, and miracles.  Avrohom merited these items through his sincerity and simplicity, for Avrohom always conducted himself with simplicity and with truth, as our sages say, "The one who walks with simplicity - this is Avrohom." (Makos 24b)  Because of these traits that he possessed, Hashem commanded Avrohom to go to Eretz Yisroel.  And, by going to Eretz Yisroel Avrohom then meritted perfected prayer and faith in Hashem to the point that he was worthy of being included in every Shmoneh Esrei, as in "Elokei Avrohom, etc."  As such, anyone who desires to have perfect faith in Hashem and to pray to Him will say, "Elokei Avrohom."    

The Torah relates that "Lot went with him [Avrohom]," (Bereishis 12:4) to explain that by definition darkness will always be bound to holiness, for Lot always followed after Avrohom to create darkness for him.  Thus, we are taught that this is the main longing and service of the holy tzaddikim.  The tzaddikim must work to reveal the truth hidden within the darkness of falsehood.  This is the reason why Avrohom told Lot to separate from him - "If you go to the left I will go to the right."  Avrohom was indicating to Lot that he did not want to walk in his path, for if Lot wanted to confuse Avrohom via the left side, which is related to evil desires and thoughts, then he would go to the right, which is the path of Torah and truth.  However, if Lot preferred to go to the right, which in this case is the place of the evil inclination under the guise of mitzvos, then Avrohom conceded that he would go to the left, for nothing is worse then this falsehood of the "right".  

This is why Hashem told Avrohom to "go for himself" (לך לך).  Hashem implied that Avrohom should go to "himself" alone, to the essense of truth, which is Avrohom's essense and vitality.  

Creating Torah Letters By Yearning for Hashem

הלכות דם א

(Painting by Yitzchak Moully)

The primary means through which Torah is revealed is through kindness, love, desire, and yearning for Hashem.  Through these things one is able to create the vowel points and the forms of the letters of the Torah.  Prior to Kabalas HaTorah the main avodah of the tzaddikim was to desire and long for Hashem.  This was until Avraham Avinu, who was the leader of the faithful and the circumcised, came and achieved what other tzaddikim were unable to.  The notion of yearning and desire correspond to the traits of kindness and love, which are the traits of Avraham Avinu.  

From that point on [once Avraham perfected these traits] many Torah concepts were brought forth into the world, and the rest of the Avos, the Shvatim, and their sons were able to engage in Torah study.  This continued until Moshe Rabbeinu and all the Jews of that generation (who were all tzaddikim) came.  And, with their yearning and desire for Hashem were they able to create the different forms of the letters of the Torah.  Through the work of that particular generation were they able to achieve Kabalas HaTorah.  

The Light of the Tzaddikim

ל"ה -חלכות כבוד רבו ותלמיד חכם ג:יח

It is forbidden to derive material pleasure from the Channukah lights.  The holiday of Channukah was instituted by Chazal, and the lights of Channukah correspond to the true tzaddikim.  The implication is that one should not seek the light of the tzaddik for material benefit, as it is common in our generation.  Rather, one must attach oneself to the tzaddikim for spiritual purposes only.

Mincha

ל"ה - הלכות מנחה ז:ב

The time for mincha is when dusk falls.  It seems that everything is getting only darker, with no chance of light again.  Yet, the work of creation also began at a time when everything was dark - and then came light!  The time for mincha is a time of severe judgments, corresponding to the times in life when a person feels that there is no hope - that his evil characteristics are gaining the upper hand, and he has no chance of victory.  But, the truth is that one can always call out to Hashem even then.  The true tzaddikim, who labor constantly to reveal Godliness in the world, show that we always have the abililty to seek Hashem.