Daily Spiritual Guide for the 16th of Teveth

The gateway to the first week of Shovavim (Parashat Shemot)

Hayom Yom (Keter)

16th of Teveth The Tzemach Tzedek told Reb Hendel at yechidus: "Study of Zohar exalts the soul; study of Midrash arouses the heart; Tehillim with tears scours the vessel."

Note on Reb Hendel: An elder chassid who exemplified humility, warmth, and compassion. Though he did not excel in intellectual mastery, his fervent worship had a profound influence on the Rebbe Rayatz.

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🪜 The 15 Steps to the Sanctuary

💡🧠 Chochma & Bina (Wisdom & Integration)

1. Alef-Bet Combination: Tonight is Day 21 (Shin) of 22-Day Cycle 5 (Tet and Yud). The combination is Shin with Yud (forming Shay - Gift/Tribute; or Yesh - "to have").

Acrostic Verse (Psalm 111): שֵׂ֣כֶל ט֖וֹב לְכָל־עֹֽשֵׂיהֶ֑ם; "Good understanding to all who perform them."

2. Sefirah (Inner Refinement): Day 4 of Week 16 (Netzach shebeGevurah [shebeTiferet]).

❤️ Chesed (Expansive Love)

3. Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov: Summary: The Besht taught that serving Torah scholars is as spiritually potent as studying with them. He sought to serve the greats of his generation: relighting the pipe of Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Shor while he slept, and returning the tea cup of Rabbi Yitzhak of Drohobitch with the reverence of a High Priest. Finally, disguised as a laborer, he chopped wood for the sickly Maggid of Brody. When the Maggid’s wife grew angry, the Maggid saw a pillar of fire over the Besht’s head, recognizing him as the future leader of the generation.

4. Jewish Spiritual Practices (Greetings & Kindness): Summary: We are taught to be the first to greet others warmly, even in busy marketplaces. By calling others "My brother," we reveal the love in our hearts. This practice of kindness and brotherliness, rooted in the example of Jacob, ensures that we are greeted with mercy from Above.

⚔️ Gevurah (Strength & Discipline)

5. Talmud (33 Tractates): 5b Ta'anit (16a - 31a). Summary: This section focuses on the laws of fasting, specifically regarding the 10th of Teveth and the beginnings of the siege of Jerusalem.

6. Tanach Study (2 Chapters): Jeremiah 4 & 5. Summary (Chapter 4): A call for Israel to return to God and "plow a new furrow" rather than sowing among thorns. It warns of a coming disaster from the north that will leave the land desolate. Summary (Chapter 5): A search for justice in Jerusalem. The prophet laments that even the "great ones" have broken God's yoke, choosing instead to follow false prophets while the poor and orphans are neglected.

⚖️ Tiferet (Harmony & Beauty)

7. Mishnah: Megillah 4; Moed Katan 1.

8. 13 Attribute Combination (Divine Mercy): Day 5 of 13-Day Cycle 9.

• lo hechzik le’ad apoh — He does not retain His anger forever.

• vetashlich bimtzolet yam kol chatotam — Casts our sins into the depths of the sea.

🏹 Netzach (Victory & Ambition)

9. 41-Day Combination: Day 27 of 41-Day Cycle 3. Understanding the 7th Commandment (against Adultery) on the Third, Emotional level (Ruach, World of Yetzirah).

10. Living Likutei Moharan (Torah 109): Summary: A lesson on the spiritual power of a sigh. A sigh can break one's connection to evil and facilitate Teshuvah. This is linked to Shimshon (Samson), who was bound by ropes (Chevel) but used his breath (Hevel) to break free and achieve triumph.

🕯️ Hod (Submission & Sincerity)

11. M’Ein Ganim: Fulfill your specific, unique path to increase God's Glory.

12. Shulchan Arukh: Reviewing laws in Orach HaChayim 216 and 217.

🤝 Yesod (Foundation & Connection)

13. Zohar Study: Vayechi, Folios 241 and 242.

14. Shovavim (Parasha Shemot): Day 2 (Aharon / Avodah) of Parasha 1 (Moshe) of Cycle 3 (Mordechai)

🌍 Malchut (Actualization)

15. The Parasha Study (Shemot): Culminating with the study of the new book and the teachings of the Keter Shem Tov.