Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6987 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

28 Menachem Av* 5719,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself

faithfully to communal needs, Rav* Yaakov (note 1: Rav* Y. Katz, of Chicago. See, concerning him, letter no. 6666),

I greet you and bless you,

I have duly received your letter of 26 Menachem Av*, with what was enclosed. You mention the saying of our Sages* according to which Moshiach* will be Moshe, our master. This assertion is indeed stated by various texts. Some are cited below (note 2: End of the Zohar Chadash*, in the Tikkunim*, page 110d. Zohar*, Parshas Bereishis*, page 25b. Likkutei Torah* of the Arizal*, Parshas Vayechi*, regarding the verse: "When Shilo comes." Sefer HaLikkutim*, at the same reference). And you well understand the strong question that is thus raised. Indeed, our Sages* frequently repeat that Moshiach* is a descendant of David. In fact, they call him: "Moshiach*, son of David" or even simply: "son of David." But the explanation is, in fact, the following. The essential aspect of the human personality, especially that of a Jew and even more so that of a Tzaddik*, is the presence of the soul of Moshe, which is its fundamental manifestation — that is, Moshe himself. Regarding these Tzaddikim*, in particular, the Alter Rebbe* says in Iggeres HaKodesh*, in the commentary on chapter 27, that: "the life of the Tzaddik* is not physical. It is spirituality, faith, fear, and love." You will consult this text. Moreover, the Alter Rebbe* specifies in this regard: "as is well known."

In this matter, one can also cite the following example. The body is defined as the garment of the soul. Now, for a person, it matters not where his garments are, so long as he himself is fully present. Of course, this image is not a perfect illustration, for the body unites with the soul (note 3: Whereas a person has nothing in common with his garments), and to put a mitzvah* into practice, the soul must have recourse to this body. This is indeed what connects them. Nevertheless, this parable allows one to understand what was said previously.

We are approaching Elul*, the month of compassion (note 4: See the preceding letter). Likkutei Torah* of the Alter Rebbe* explains that the thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy shine then. Through them, "He bears iniquity, transgression, and sin and cleanses them." This revelation therefore causes our sins to disappear, of which it is said: "Because of our sins we were exiled from our Land." Thus will be hastened the coming of the first redeemer who will be the last — of Moshe our master, who will be our righteous Moshiach*, very soon and truly in our days. With my blessing to give good tidings of all this,