Some thoughts for Rosh Hashana.

1. What is the meaning of life?

- Tanya (Alter Rebbe): The purpose of life is to serve God by transforming the physical world into a dwelling place for the divine. This is achieved by fulfilling the Torah's commandments (mitzvot), subduing the animal soul’s desires, and revealing the divine soul's light. Through this, one elevates the material world and brings it into alignment with God’s will, contributing to the cosmic process of tikkun.

- The Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson): The meaning of life is to fulfill one’s unique mission in bringing the world closer to redemption. Every individual is empowered to illuminate their surroundings through acts of goodness and kindness, Torah observance, and mitzvot. The Rebbe emphasized that we are in the era leading to the coming of the Messiah, and each person has a role in hastening this ultimate redemption by making the world a home for God.

2. Is there a God or higher power?

- Tanya: God is both immanent and transcendent. He is present in every aspect of creation, even in the most physical aspects of the world, but His presence is often hidden. The Tanya explains that while the essence of God (the Ein Sof) is beyond human comprehension, God can be connected with through Torah, mitzvot, and personal spiritual effort.

- The Rebbe: God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, constantly involved in every detail of life. The Rebbe stressed divine providence, the belief that God’s hand guides every moment and event in life, both large and small. We can cultivate a personal relationship with God by following the teachings of the Torah and working to bring redemption to the world.

3. What happens after we die?

- Tanya: After death, the soul ascends to spiritual realms based on its level of refinement and service during its lifetime. Righteous souls experience closeness to God, while those who need further rectification may reincarnate or undergo a spiritual cleansing process. The soul is eternal, and its journey is one of continuous elevation toward greater unity with the divine.

- The Rebbe: The soul is eternal, and after death, it continues its journey toward God. The Rebbe emphasized that while the soul ascends to higher spiritual realms after death, it maintains a connection with its mission in this world. Ultimately, the goal is the resurrection of the dead in the Messianic era, when souls will return to perfected bodies, and the world will be filled with divine knowledge.

4. What is the nature of reality?

- Tanya: Reality is not as it seems; the physical world is an external manifestation of divine energy. While the material world often conceals God's presence, in truth, it is fully sustained by God’s constant will. The purpose of human life is to reveal this concealed Godliness through acts of service, Torah study, and mitzvot.

- The Rebbe: Reality is filled with divine purpose and is part of God's plan for creation. Although the physical world may appear separate from God, it is, in fact, infused with His presence. The Rebbe emphasized that the world is a stage for bringing out the inherent divine light, and through human actions—especially acts of kindness and observance of mitzvot—we reveal the true nature of reality as a manifestation of God’s will.

5. Do we have free will?

- Tanya: Yes, humans have free will, especially in the spiritual battle between the animal soul (which drives selfish and material desires) and the divine soul (which seeks closeness to God). The Tanya teaches that while we cannot fully control our inner emotional state, we do have the power to control our actions, speech, and thoughts, which can influence our internal state over time.

- The Rebbe: Free will is essential to human life, as it allows individuals to choose between good and evil, between bringing light or darkness into the world. The Rebbe emphasized that every person has the power to choose to fulfill their divine mission, which involves improving the world and hastening the coming of the Messiah. Through free will, we can transform the world by choosing to serve God.

6. Why is there suffering?

- Tanya: Suffering is part of the process of spiritual refinement and is often a means of elevating the soul. It can help cleanse and purify a person from spiritual imperfections, bringing them closer to God. While suffering is not ideal, it can serve a purpose in revealing deeper levels of divine light and preparing the world for redemption.

- The Rebbe: Suffering has a purpose, but the Rebbe emphasized that we should focus on joy and positive action to overcome it. The Rebbe viewed suffering as something that could be transformed through acts of kindness and faith, believing that the ultimate goal is a world without suffering, which will be achieved in the Messianic era. He encouraged seeing challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth and redemptive transformation.

7. What is consciousness?

- Tanya: Consciousness is the interplay between the divine soul and the animal soul. The divine soul strives to connect with God, while the animal soul is concerned with physical and material needs. True consciousness is achieved when a person prioritizes the divine soul, becoming aware of God's presence in all things and acting accordingly.

- The Rebbe: Consciousness should be shaped by an awareness of God’s constant presence and purpose in life. The Rebbe emphasized that a person’s consciousness should be directed toward bringing out the divine in the world through Torah study, prayer, and acts of goodness. This leads to a mindset that sees beyond the material world and focuses on fulfilling one's divine mission.

8. Are we alone in the universe?

- Tanya: The Tanya does not explicitly address extraterrestrial life but focuses on the relationship between humanity and God. Humanity has a unique role in revealing God’s oneness in the world through fulfilling the commandments and spiritual service.

- The Rebbe: The Rebbe did not explicitly address the existence of extraterrestrial life, but his teachings emphasize that humanity is at the center of God’s plan for creation. Each person has a divine purpose in perfecting the world and bringing it to its ultimate state of redemption, and this mission is paramount in the context of the universe.

9. What is the nature of time?

- Tanya: Time is a creation that exists within the physical world but does not apply in the same way to the spiritual realms. While time is linear in the physical world, in the higher spiritual realms, past, present, and future are united. In terms of spiritual growth, every moment in time is an opportunity to elevate oneself and connect with God.

- The Rebbe: Time is a vehicle for spiritual growth and transformation. The Rebbe emphasized that while time may seem limited, every moment has infinite potential. The ultimate redemption will bring an era where time is perceived differently, as the Messianic age will transcend the limitations of time. The Rebbe also stressed the urgency of utilizing time effectively to bring about redemption.

10. How should we live?

- Tanya: A person should live by constantly striving to serve God, overcoming the inclinations of the animal soul, and revealing the light of the divine soul. This is achieved through Torah study, prayer, and the observance of mitzvot. One should live with an awareness of God’s presence in all things and seek to elevate the material world by dedicating it to divine service.

- The Rebbe: We should live with a sense of mission and urgency, using every opportunity to make the world a better place and prepare it for the coming of the Messiah. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of acts of goodness and kindness, Torah study, and mitzvot as tools to transform the world. He stressed living with joy, faith, and an active role in bringing about global redemption.

Summary:

- Tanya emphasizes the internal spiritual battle between the divine and animal souls, with the purpose of life being to transform the material world and reveal God’s presence through Torah and mitzvot.

- The Rebbe focused on the practical application of this philosophy in a global context, stressing the urgency of bringing redemption through acts of kindness, spiritual awareness, and personal responsibility for making the world a dwelling place for God. Both emphasize joy and dedication in serving God, but the Rebbe placed a particular emphasis on collective action leading toward the Messianic age.

Shavua Tov 🙏🙏🙏