God & Pancakes

After 53 days of imprisonment on an island fortress off the Neva River in Petersburg, Russia, Rabbi Shneur Zalman (A.K.A. the Alter Rebbe) left a free man. Tonight, the 19th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, we celebrate the 212th anniversary of his release.

The Alter Rebbe founded a system of serving G-d known as Chabad, which stands for chochmah (wisdom), binah (understanding), and da'at (knowledge). He taught Jewish mysticism with great explanations, spreading the concepts of the unity of G-d and His oneness with this world as never before. Imprisoned on charges that "his teachings and activities threatened the imperial authority of the czar," the Alter Rebbe viewed his imprisonment rather as a decree from on high. Did G-d Deem His teachings proper for his time? Jewish mysticism ha din the past been kept secret to only the greatest of Rabbis!

The Alter Rebbe viewed his release, his pardon from death, as a sign of approval from G-d, and began teaching and spreading his teachings, known as "Chassidus," more & more. What's the essential message the Alter Rebbe was trying to convey in his teachings?

Many wonder what life will be like Moshiach comes. "Will we all be living in cramped apartments in Jerusalem?" "Will we be spending the whole day watching sacrifices in the temple?" "Will we be riding on donkeys?" "Miracles all day long?" Chassidus explains that, to understand what will be, we must take a look at the very words in Hebrew for "exile" and "redemption". Exile is "גולה-Golah", Redemption is "גאולה-Geulah."
The only difference between our lives now and in the messianic era, is the letter א, which refers to the one G-d.

Everything will be the same. Cars, houses, parks, Wal-Mart, even pancakes!
Except for one little thing.
We will see how really everything we experience in this world is created and enlivened with G-d's Divine Energy.
That sweet taste when eating those pancakes, stems directly from its spiritual source and energy, the sweetness from above.
By learning Chassidus now, we can start envisioning this Divine reality now in our every day lives.
Everything in this world is an expression of G-d. We can therefore learn a lesson from every moment, every nuance of creation.
Like the smile or frown on a friend's face, the world's movements and wonders show us the inner dimension, what's behind the "face."

Until ultimately G-d will stop the hiding, as the prophet Isaiah says, Ch. 40:5: "And G-d's glory will be revealed, and all mankind will see it together."
May it happen now.
Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel