1. It is proper to “Begin with blessing,” to extend the blessing for a gut moed to each member of the Jewish people, and, in particular, to those present here.

This is particularly relevant at present because the seven days of Sukkos (and, similarly, the holidays of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah which follow) are referred to as “the season of our rejoicing.” This implies, that in comparison to Pesach and Shavuos which are associated with freedom and the giving of our Torah, a greater emphasis is placed on happiness.

Similarly, the concept of blessing is relevant to the present day, a Tuesday, since, in the narrative of creation, Tuesday is distinguished as the day when the expression, “And G‑d saw that it was good,” was repeated. Similarly, today is the sixth day of the holiday of Sukkos and six is twice three.

This doubling of the number three alludes to the concept that a Jew’s service must be two-fold. For example, in the study of Torah, a person must be involved in the study of Nigleh, the revealed dimensions of Torah law, and Pnimiyus HaTorah (Torah’s mystic dimension). Similarly, our fulfillment of mitzvos is two-fold, involving the intent of the mitzvah and its actual performance. Furthermore, the goal of the mitzvos, to bring the world to a state of perfection involves two dimensions: time and space.

The concept of six as a multiple of two and three is further emphasized by the fact that the refinement of the world is accomplished through the Jews’ fulfillment of Torah and mitzvos. The Jews are described as “a three-fold people” and the Torah as “a three-fold light.” (More particularly, each aspect of the Jews and the Torah is itself two-fold, involving the body and the soul.)

The above relates to Yosef, the ushpiz of the present night, who is associated with Yesod, the sixth emotional attribute. Yesod means “foundation.” The service described above is the foundation for all positive qualities.

The above shares a connection with the present year which began with a three day continuum of holiness.1 Similarly, this factor repeats itself twice in connection with “the season of our rejoicing,” recurring both at the beginning and the conclusion of that holiday. Thus, each of these three day continuums creates a chazakah of holiness and this chazakah is itself repeated as a chazakah.2

In this context, it is appropriate to mention that the farbrengen usually held Simchas Torah afternoon will be postponed until Shabbos afternoon because of several halachic questions that arise when the festivals flow directly into Shabbos.

Although the farbrengen will not be held in its usual time, the spiritual influences associated with it will not be lacking. On the contrary, as explained in regard to the nullification of the blowing of the shofar when Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbos, the Shabbos itself provides the spiritual influence3 that would otherwise be brought about by the sounding of the shofar. Indeed, this influence is more complete than when we actually sound the shofar.4

There is no need to elaborate on the above since surely, Mashiach will come before Simchas Torah. Then, Simchas Torah will be celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeres and there will be an interruption between these days and Shabbos. Thus, it will be possible to hold the farbrengen at its usual time.

Furthermore, even should the farbrengen not be held at the usual time, carrying out the spiritual dimensions will bring about all the necessary influences. We see this concept in regard to Simchas Beis HaShoeivah. Indeed, our carrying out the spiritual services associated with Simchas Beis HaShoeivah in the era of exile has an advantage over the celebration of Simchas Beis HaShoeivah in the Beis HaMikdash as evidenced by the fact that we are able to carry out this service on Shabbos and the festivals as well.5

Each night, we should increase our celebration of Simchas Beis HaShoeivah. In particular, this applies to those individuals who travel to spread the happiness of the Previous Rebbe’s community to Jews living in more removed communities. May it be said that “Whoever did not see the Simchas Beis HaShoeivah of the present night — here in Brooklyn and wherever else one travels to spread joy among Jews — never saw happiness in his life.” And may this lead to the coming of Mashiach. May it be in the immediate future.