EACH REBBE SURPASSES HIS PREDECESSOR

All the qualities of a previous Rebbe are assumed by the successive Rebbe. Each Nasi is the memale mekomo u’maalaso of the preceding Rebbe, he is his successor in terms of taking on his role as well as in terms of possessing all his virtues. Also, he introduces something unique of his own. * Chapter 4 of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s compilation of inyanei Moshiach and Geula, Likkutei Mekoros. * Underlining is the compiler’s emphasis.

Translated and presented by Boruch Merkur

Chapter 3 speaks about a particular manner by which a Rebbe may reveal something about himself. Namely, by describing or defining qualities of a preceding Rebbe. In so doing, the Rebbe, in effect, rules about himself as well that he possesses those qualities or serves that particular role. In other words, what the Rebbe says about another Rebbe is equally true of himself.

Chapter 4, in a sense, goes a step further, establishing that all the qualities of a previous Rebbe are assumed by the successive Rebbe. Each Nasi is the memale mekomo u’maalaso of the preceding Rebbe, he is his successor in terms of taking on his role as well as in terms of possessing all his virtues. Also, he introduces something unique of his own.

The Rebbe MH”M discusses this concept in the sicha of 9 Kislev, Shabbos Parshas VaYeitzei, with regard to the Mitteler Rebbe’s “perfection of the days of his life” – the embodiment of “I shall fill the number of your days” (Mishpatim 23:26) – his birthday and hilula being the same day, the 9^th of Kislev.

***

It is specifically with regard to the Mitteler Rebbe that we find this novel concept and perfection – that his lifespan was “from day to day” (he was nistalek  on the same day that he was born – 9 Kislev).*

(Seifer HaSichos 5752, pg. 150)

NOTE:

*Which is not the case with the other Rebbeim: [The Mitteler Rebbe’s predecessors] the Baal Shem Tov was born on the 18^th of Elul, Chai Elul, and was nistalek on the first day of Chag HaShavuos (the Mezritcher Maggid’s birthday is unknown; his hilula, however, is on Yud-Tes Kislev); and the Alter Rebbe was born on Chai Elul and was nistalek on the 24^th of Teives. Similarly with regard to our Rebbes, our N’siim, the successors of the Mitteler Rebbe: The Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek – Erev Rosh HaShana/13 Nissan; the Rebbe Maharash – 2 Iyar/13 Tishrei; the Rebbe (Rashab), nishmaso Eden –20 Cheshvan/2 Nissan; my revered father in-law, the Rebbe –12 Tammuz/10 Shvat.

And since our Rebbes, our N’siim, are a single continuum, a single chain, to the point that they are at the level of “maor,” a source of light (regarding which the concept of a chain has no bearing – see the sicha of Shabbos Parshas VaYeitzei, 9 Kislev 5711 [where it explains that since a maor is atzmi, it is inclusive of every aspect associated with it, not like a chain has various links but as a single entity; thus, when celebrating 9 Kislev, marking the Mitteler Rebbe’s birthday and hilula, one “connects to the ‘maor’ of the Mitteler Rebbe as he is included in my father in-law, the Rebbe” – Sichos Kodesh 5711, pg. 75]), meaning that they are a single being (especially insofar as every Nasi is called “memaleh mekomo” of the Nasi before him; he fills the entire place/role, and possesses all his virtue, in addition to his own unique quality, which is an expression of the principle of “maalin ba’kodesh – ever rising in holiness.” Also, there is the additional contribution of the service of every Nasi that is particular to him and his generation.) Thus, the perfection of one of the N’siim [in a particular area] is manifest in all of them. However, overtly, it appears in one particular Nasi, and from him it is drawn into all of them. This concept is reminiscent of the well known principle of “the Mitzva in which he particularly shone”: this Mitzva is the gateway through which all the other Mitzvos ascend.