From: murray.bbs@cybernet.cse.fau.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: Tanya Chitas for Av5
Date: 19 Aug 92 14:52:47 GMT
Organization: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

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  Daily dose of Tanya. - CHITAS for: Av 5 (regular year) Av 9 in a
leap year
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           From SHIURIM B'SEFER HATANYA  by  Rabbi Wineberg.
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And now once more I put forth  my hand a second time with an additional
explanation and a twofold request, extended  and proposed to all men of
the chassidic brotherhood, those who are near and those who are far, to
undertake the following: On all weekdays, businessmen - who do not have
so  much  time -  should not  step  down before  the  Ark [to  lead the
congregation in prayer].  Only those who have the time [should lead the
prayers], such as teachers or those who are supported by their parents,
who at  the morning service  are able  to pray at  length for at  least
about an hour and a half (55) on all week-days. (56)
 
One  of them  should step  down  before the  Ark, chosen  by lot  or by
consent of the majority  [of the congregants]. He should  gather around
him all  those who are supported by their parents, or teachers, who are
able  to pray at length like himself,  [and will thus not be distracted
by the haste of  others. This arrangement is] not to  be changed, I beg
and beseech you!
 
On  the Sabbaths and festivals, however, when all the businessmen, too,
have the time and opportunity to pray at length, devoutly concentrating
their heart and soul  to G-d, - moreover, their  duty to do so  is much
greater, as is  stated in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim,  (57) and as is
written in the Torah of Moses: (58) "Six days shall you work... and the
seventh day is a Sabbath unto the L-rd your G-d,"  stating clearly that
the Sabbath is to be devoted wholly unto G-d, -
 
[Unlike  the festivals which are "partially unto G-d and partially unto
you,"  the Sabbath ought to  be wholly dedicated  to spiritual matters.
Since the reason for  this is that it was preceded  by six mundane days
of  labor, it follows that those who  were engaged in this labor during
the weekdays -  businessmen and the  like -  should surely utilize  the
Sabbath  "wholly unto G-d."] on Sabbaths and festivals, therefore, they
too can step down before  the Ark, according to lot or by assent of the
majority, as I wrote last year.
 
Moreover, it should be made known that, G-d willing, it is my intention
to send  spies secretly to all  congregations, (59) to find  out and to
notify about  anyone who has  the ability  and the time  to worship  at
length and  to meditate while at  prayer, but is slothful.  He shall be
punished by estrangement, being  distanced by both hands when  he comes
here to  hear chassidic teachings. (60)  And from the negative  you may
infer the positive (61) - [that those who are more generous in the time
they  devote to  their  prayers will  be  assured of  a warm  welcome.]
Pleasant be  the lot of those who hearken; may the blessing of goodness
light upon them, - and (62) - "there is no "good" but Torah...."
 
FOOTNOTES
 
55. Cf. Zohar I, 62b and  its commentaries; the letter published in the
    anthology  entitled  Meah Shearim 2b, the sources  indicated in the 
    footnote there. See also op. cit.,  9b. (Note of the Rebbe Shlita.) 
56. The statement (Berachot 32b) that even the early chassidim [of Tal-
    mudic  times] would devote one hour to the prayer itself, refers to 
    the Amidah [alone]. (Note of the Rebbe Shlita.) 
57. Gloss  to 290:2; see also Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Orach Chayim 290:5.
    Note of the Rebbe Shlita: See also the maamar entitled Mi Yiten-cha, 
    in Torah Or. 
58. Shmot 20:9. 
59. In the  original, minyanim; a minyan is a group of at least ten men
    constituting  a  congregation, and, by extension, signifies a place
    of communal prayer. 
60. Lit., "the words of the living G-d." 
61. A Talmudic term; cf. Nedarim 11a. 
62. Avot 6:3.
 
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