At the project of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, “Beit Yoel” – a Dnipro Beit Chabad for Israelis living and studying in the city – another lesson on the book of “Tanya” took place, conducted by the emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Nachshon. This class was a joint one, attended by both young men and young women, and it was held in the permanent premises of the project, located on the fourth floor of the administrative building of the Central “Golden Rose” Synagogue complex.
The participants continued their study of the fourth perek of the “Tanya,” focusing on the concluding part of its first page, dedicated to the significance of thought, speech, and action in the service of the Almighty. Rabbi Yosef Nachshon explained that these three modes of manifestation of the human soul acquire special spiritual significance when a person directs them toward the study of Torah and the fulfillment of mitzvos. What is at issue is not merely correct behavior or the acquisition of knowledge, but the possibility of establishing the most profound connection with the Creator.
The main idea of the lesson was that the Torah is the wisdom of the Almighty, and the mitzvos express His will. Therefore, when a Jew studies Torah, reflects on its words, utters them, and fulfills the mitzvos in practice, their thought, speech, and action become united with Divine wisdom and will. It is precisely in this, as explained in the “Tanya,” that the special height of Torah study and the fulfillment of mitzvos lies: a person receives the opportunity to attain unity with the Almighty not only through their feelings and spiritual experiences but also through concrete actions.
Special attention was given to the fact that such unity is accessible to a person in everyday life. For this it is not necessary to withdraw from ordinary affairs or to seek exceptional spiritual states. By studying Torah, uttering its words, and fulfilling the mitzvos, a Jew uses their ordinary human abilities for the service of the Almighty, transforming thought, speech, and action into means of direct connection with Him.
“The teaching of the ‘Tanya’ helps our students understand that the connection with the Almighty is not an abstract concept but a real possibility that opens up to a person through the study of Torah and the fulfillment of mitzvos,” noted Rabbi Yaakov Dorfman, director of the “Beit Yoel” project. “It is especially important to us that both the young men and the young women who come to our classes become aware of the spiritual significance of their everyday deeds and find in Jewish teaching a foundation for their own lives. It is precisely such an opportunity that we strive to give to young Israelis in the atmosphere of care and support of the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
