Providing Good Company Accompanied by Giants
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This Shabbos is Chof Av the yartzeit of Rav Levi Yitzchok, the Rebbe’s father. The Rebbe explained the meaning of the name Levi in a sicha given in 5750-1990.
The name Levi reminds us of of being separate. The tribe of Levi is known for having been separated by Hashem from the rest of Klal Yisroel after the sin of the golden calf. They were set aside by Hashem to spend their lives serving Him in the Beis HaMikdash. The name Levi also has the meaning of escorting or connecting, as in the meaning of the name given by Leah; “Hapaam yilaveh eishi eilai- now my husband will escort me”
The service of the tribe of Levi reflects both approaches simultaneously. They did not take a portion in the land in order to remain separate in the Beis HaMikdash, singing, carrying the vessels and learning the Torah. They also were teachers of the Torah; “Yoru mishpateicha l’Yaakov, v’Torascha l’Yisroel”, they had the job of lowering themselves to the level of those that sinned by the golden calf in order that they should understand the Torah and how to live according to its judgments.
The Beis HaMikdash itself also exemplified these opposite, yet compatible qualities. On one hand there were 10 levels of separation that separated between the world and the Kodesh HaKedoshim where only the Kohen Gadol would enter once a year on Yom Kippur. On the other hand the windows faced outward in order enable the light of Hashem’s presence dwelling inside the Beis HaMikdash to go out and shine to the entire world. The Beis HaMikdash served a dual purpose; to be a dwelling place for Hashem, a ‘Dira lo Yisborach’, and to penetrate every part of the world, similar to the tribe of Levi.
The Rebbe related this to the life of his father Rav Levi Yitzzchok. On one hand he was a great Gaon in Kabbolah, Nigleh and Chassidus. He had many writings that have been lost. On the other hand he was directly involved in leading his community with great mesirus nefesh at a time of pronounced governmental opposition making his work very dangerous. Nevertheless he did not waiver in his complete dedication towards others. For example he fought the government directly in order to provide kosher matzos for Pesach and would preform weddings and other mitzvos in clear view of the NKVD.
Rav Levi Yitzchok embodied both of these qualities. He achieved the highest levels of Torah and avodah along with an intense involvement with the details and needs of the community. Even while in galus he effected those around him both Jew and non-Jew alike. He reflected his namesake, shevet Levi, who did not take a portion in the land and remained totally dedicated to the Klal.
Chabad Chassidim are the shevet Levi of our time. We need to learn and be inspired by the example of the giants that preceded us while realizing the responsibility we have; to strive to our very best both in achieving the highest levels in Torah and avodah while going out and personally touching the lives of others in order to illuminate every neshama, and bring the light of Moshiach to the entire world now!
Good Shabbos