Chapter 2

2. The first example given by the previous Rebbe is the transmission of the knowledge from a teacher to a student. The Talmud 1 illustrates the proper order to be used in such a transmission, relating how before Rabbah began his discourse, he would make a humorous remark, the sages would laugh, and he would then sit in awe and commence his lecture. The humorous remark before the lesson [interpreted by the previous Rebbe as a reference to] the “casual conversation of scholars which demands study,” 2 is only an external [aspect of the teacher]. Nevertheless, this external influence is an introduction to the internal influence [conveyed] when he began the lesson. [The humorous remark] opens the heart and mind of the student, making him a vessel fit to receive the inner influence.

The source for this example is the discourse ואלה תולדות3 in Toras Chaim by the Mitteler Rebbe. However, there, no connection is noted between this example and the concept vfk
hsus. The discourse סמוכים לעד 5680, recited by the Rebbe Rashab on the last birthday he celebrated in this world, mentions that it is possible to connect this example with the concept of hsus vfk. In the previous Rebbe’s discourse לכה דודי, he omitted the disclaimer “it is possible” and stated the relationship as an accepted matter.

The Mitteler Rebbe explains in Toras Chaim 4 that laughter is rooted in [the soul’s potential for] simple, uncompounded pleasure. We can understand from this that the source of humor, (the level of simple pleasure), is higher than the intellectual concepts transmitted afterwards (for the pleasure derived from intellect is compounded). Nevertheless, [humor] is only external and it is through the inner transmission of influence that a much higher level is reached.

The explanation of the matter [i.e. that despite the high source of humor an even more sublime level can be attained through an inner transmission of influence] is as follows. There are two levels of simple, uncompounded pleasure: 5 one which is felt [and thus limited by the finite nature of our perception] and the essential capacity for pleasure which transcends feeling. It is through the inner transmission of influence which can, in turn, be internalized by the student, that one is brought to the level of the essential pleasure which transcends feeling. Therefore our Sages’ declared 6 “From my students [I have received] more than from all the others.”