Exodus Painting by Leslie Ann Cornish
Reb Noson of Breslov
Likutey Halakhos, Har’sha’ah 4:7 (abridged)
Based on Likutey Moharan I, 59 (“Heikhal Hakodesh”)
Translated by Dovid Sears
Every Jew is
required to engage in building the “Heikhal Hakodesh (Holy Palace)” [which
denotes the collective consciousness of the holy in the world], as discussed in
Likutey Moharan I, 59. That is, one should bring other souls closer to
G-d. Just as one must leave his personal condition of spiritual exile, he must
endeavor to liberate others along with himself, thus to restore many souls to
G-d. For this is each person’s primary avodah (spiritual work): to make
G-d’s [existence and] mighty acts known to humanity…
This is the gist
of the mitzvah of remembering and retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
For the Exodus from Egypt constituted the beginning of the Jewish people’s
drawing close to G-d, through all the signs and miracles that we beheld with
our eyes at that time. Therefore, it is a mitzvah to recall this and to speak
about it every day; as it is written, “Speak of all His wonders” (Psalms
105:2)—thus to bring everyone in the world closer to G-d.
For this was
G-d’s underlying intent in all of the great wonders and awesome signs that He
wrought for us, in taking us out of Egypt—an unprecedented event in the history
of the world. All of this was meant to reveal His G-dliness and sovereignty
and dominion to all humanity; as it is written, “In order to declare My Name
through all of the earth” (Exodus 9:16), and “and
in order that you tell into the ears of your son and your son's son” [of My signs ... and you will know that I am the Lord”] (ibid.
10:2).
Therefore, the entire Torah depends upon the Exodus from Egypt, which
constitutes the first of the Ten Commandments (ibid. 20:2): “"I am the
Lord, your G-d, Who took you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage.” Similarly, the Exodus from Egypt is mentioned in
connection with many commandments.
For the
primary drawing close of all souls to G-d, thus to fulfill the words of the
Torah, is through retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt; that is, by
recounting G-d’s mighty acts and wonders, which we witnessed at the time of the
Exodus, and which we have seen in our lives ever since. For all miracles and
salvations are incorporated within the paradigm of the Exodus from Egypt, which
includes all future exiles (Bereishis Rabbah 16:4). Thus it is that the Exodus
represents the drawing close of all humanity to G-d, which constitutes the
building of the “Heikhal HaKodesh (Holy Palace).”
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