Yud-Beis and Yud-Gimmel Tammuz, the festive anniversary of Previous Rebbe’s redemption from prison and exile, is associated with the spiritual task of spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus outward. Every year the celebration of this holiday grants us new energy to carry out this service. A fitting expression for this, is for every individual to enhance his Torah observance in the following manner.

In addition to one’s daily study sessions, one should add — each person according to his capacity — a special study session in Nigleh (the revealed dimensions of Torah law) and a special study session in Pnimiyus HaTorah (Torah’s inner mystic dimensions). One concept in each of these fields of study should be studied with in-depth concentration.

This is relevant for every Jew, man, woman, and child. For even a young child appreciates that he has a body, an aspect of his being which is governed by the natural limits of material existence, and a soul, a spiritual entity which transcends those limits. Correspondingly, there is “the body of Torah,” Nigleh, the aspect of Torah which relates to the limits of the world at large, and “the soul of Torah,” Pnimiyus HaTorah,1 which transcends those limits.

Our bodies and our souls are interrelated. And thus it is preferable that the two studies be fused together, that one study a concept in which the two, Nigleh and Pnimiyus HaTorah, are joined. This entails learning the simple meaning of a concept according to Torah law, and then, delving into its inner spiritual meaning. The potential for such study is found within the teachings of all the Chabad Rebbeim in the successive generations, in particular, in several of the teachings which have been recently published.2

This should lead to the performance of the mitzvos behiddur, in a beautiful and conscientious manner, in a manner which fuses the body and the soul, i.e., the intent (the soul) of the mitzvah should be revealed and emphasized together with the actual deed (its body). And this should motivate us to perform the mitzvos in a manner that exceeds the minimal obligations of the law.

In particular, this should be expressed in the mitzvah of tzedakah. We should increase our actual gifts to tzedakah (the body of the mitzvah) and increase the warmth and care with which we give it (its soul). As an expression of the mitzvah to, “Love your fellowman as yourself,”3 these suggestions should be passed onto others and they too should be motivated to take part in these activities.

May these efforts enable us to proceed from the redemption of Yud-Beis and Yud-Gimmel Tammuz, to the complete and ultimate Redemption, which will reveal the inner, positive nature of the approaching Three Week period. And as we progress to that Redemption, we will merit a multitude of miracles, a never-ending succession of Divine wonders, leading to the ultimate wonders that we will witness with the fulfillment of the prophecy, “As in the days of you redemption from Egypt, I will show you wonders,”4 with the coming of the ultimate Redemption. May it be in the immediate future.