More than seven decades ago (this Shabbat), on 10 Shevat, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, assumed the leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement after the passing of his father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory. In the decades that followed, the Rebbe revolutionized, inspired and guided the post-Holocaust transformation of the Jewish people that continues to this day. On the day the Rebbe accepted the leadership he said a "Maamar" a Chasidic Discourse based on the previous Rebbe's own discourse of the same title. This discourse treats the mystical concept of Divine light and its life-giving power to the upper and higher world and all of creation. The Rebbe's emphasis is on the role each of us plays in drawing down this light and converting the world into a home for G-d one mitzvah at a time.

In the 14^th chapter of the original discourse, which the Rebbe expounded, the Rebbe encourages us to meditate deeply on the following mystical truth regarding this light and by doing so, one will come to a love and awe of the Creator:

"The reflection of G‑dly light is drawn down and brings all creations into being from nothing to something, giving them life.

In the words [of the Talmud], "He feeds [the whole world,] from the horned buffalo to a brood of vermin."

This light and life-energy radiates and is drawn down to even the lowest of levels, as it is written, — "If I soar up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the abyss, behold, You are there."

This awareness leads to a profound meditation on the greatness of G‑d, on how He is drawn down level by level through all the stages of the downward progression of spiritual worlds, down to the level of the lowliest of creatures."

The thrust of the teaching is: All of creation, from the most sophisticated and lofty to the simplest form are created with the same light or life force of G-d. All of creation is united within the light of G-d and G-d's creative light shines through all existence uniting all things with Him. Meditating on this unity leads to both to a humbling of ego but also an expansion of self as the person sees themselves bound in unity with all people and all creation within G-d.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Zushe Cunin