It was the Best of Times...(Leviticus Ch.25)

Leviticus Ch. 25 begins: "Hashem spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai..."- why is Mt. Sinai only mentioned in regard to this particular portion? Furthermore, the Children of Israel when they stood on Mt. Sinai where on the highest level of spirituality and unity with G-d. Here, in this portion, we are speaking of the Jewish people on a completely different level, once they are settled in the land, and working the land, immersed in the material mundane life.


To what extent do the Jewish people become immersed in the material and mundane? To the extent that when we are commanded to stop working the land for a year (Lev. 25:4):"But the seventh year shall be a complete rest for the land...", they turn around and ask (Lev. 25:20): "What will we eat in the seventh year?" (As if Hashem intends for them to starve).

Essentially it's all about mitigating these two opposites? On the one hand, living according to a Law that was handed from G-d himself at Mt. Sinai, while at the same time being immersed in the material reality in the Land. The answer is (Deut. 6:4)"Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One" - from the ultimate Divine perspective there are no opposites, since everything emanates from Him. By nullifying oneself to Hashem, becoming His agent and servant in the world, I'm able to adopt His perspective, that two opposites can coexist without contradicting one another - there can be a Divine Law, and work of the Land, and one does not detract from the other.

This also the secret behind the teaching of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Tractate Avot, Ch. 4, Mishna 13) that the crown of the good name is above all the other accomplishments. Even though Rabbi Shimon is the author of the Zohar and his whole life was immersed in the deepest mystical teachings of the Torah, nevertheless he emphasizes that the teachings flourish along with a good name, involvement in good deeds down here in this world.

This is also the explanation why the author of the Tanya ends his seven chapter discussion of meditations useful for awakening Love of G-d, with the idea of speaking words of Torah, since the highest most intense love is requited only by an outward expression in the action world (and moving one's lips and speaking is considered an action in the realm of Torah study).

Based on the Talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe