Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9020

By the grace of Hashem,

Eve of 6 Elul 5725,

Brooklyn, New York,

The[1] content[2] of these auspicious days[3] is the revelation and manifestation of abundant mercy, of the thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy*.[4] According to the words of the Admur HaZaken*,[5] 'it is for this reason that one recites[6] the Selichot* and the thirteen Attributes of Mercy from Rosh Chodesh* Elul,' or even before that date, 'for they correspond to the twelve tribes and to that of Levi* which includes them all within itself.' This clearly means that the Jewish people receive this influence as they are divided into tribes,[8] and not when they are still connected only to the three Patriarchs*, that is, in the personal divine service of each individual.[9]

It is explained elsewhere[10] and, moreover, quite evident, that the motivation to have mercy upon one who is most distant, down to the smallest detail, emanates from a higher source — namely the thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy which are never invoked in vain.[11] Perhaps it is possible to introduce a clarification on this subject, based on the indication of the Admur HaZaken that the tribe of Levi 'includes them all within itself.' And Levi was so named because: 'my husband will be joined (Yilaveh*) to me.'

In the service of Hashem, the act of 'including them all within itself' enables 'my husband to be joined' to each one,[12] this term 'husband' here designating the Holy One, blessed be He*.[13] In this way, the revelation and manifestation of the thirteen Attributes of Mercy is attained: 'Hashem, Hashem, El…'[14] — which results in: 'I am to my Beloved*' — an effort of human beings, so that each one may be at the level of a Levite*, who, by virtue of his generosity, stands before Hashem to serve Him.

As the great master, the Rambam*, rules in his Yad HaChazakah*,[15] 'this concerns not only the tribe of Levi, but anyone who is a volunteer by his generosity.' And one knows the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov*[16] that a person is where his will is. Therefore, 'he can understand, through his wisdom,[17] that he must separate himself and stand before Hashem. He is thus consecrated Holy of Holies*'.

Through 'I am to my Beloved,' there is fulfilled 'my Beloved is to me' — the heavenly revelation — and, as the Rambam states at the same reference, 'Hashem will be his portion and his inheritance forever and immutably.' The day of 18 Elul* is propitious for all of this, for, according to the words of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*,[18] it vivifies the divine service connected to the verse: 'I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me.' With my blessing that you be inscribed and sealed for a good year,

M. Schneerson