Yechidah: Suprarational stubbornness
Rabbi Y. Oliver
The Jew’s bond with Hashem at the soul-level of Yechidah
transcends intellect completely, even the intellect of the Divine Soul.
The Yechidah is also known as the “eisan
of the soul.”[1] The word eisan means firm, for this level is firm and
unyielding to any force that might separate the Jew from Hashem, G–d forbid. Of
this stubbornness to obey Hashem the Jewish people are called “a stiff-necked
nation”[2] in the positive sense.[3]
In the Hoshanos liturgy,[4] it is written: “It embraces and
is attached to You, it carries Your yoke, the Yechidah to
unite You.” This alludes to the qualities of the soul-level of Yechidah:
- “It embraces and is attached to You”: The core of every Jew, no matter who he may be, is connected to Hashem’s very Essence. This expresses itself in the Jewish custom to constantly thank and otherwise refer to Hashem, such as by saying “boruch Hashem.”[5]
- “It carries Your yoke”: Regardless of his external behavior, the Jew’s Yechidah naturally submits to and “carries” the yoke of observance of Torah and Mitzvos.
- “The Yechidah to unite with You”: On this level, the bond with Hashem is so deep that the Jew is even willing to give up his life rather than sin.[6] Of this the Alter Rebbe taught: “A Jew neither desires, nor is able, to sever himself from G–dliness.”[7]
(For one way to reveal the Yechidah, see here.)
Based on the Previous Rebbe’s Ma’amar Hachodesh hazeh lachem 5685, pp. 16-17.
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[1] Sefer HaMa’amarim 5703, p. 73 ff. Igros Kodesh Admur
HaRayatz, Vol. 3, p. 335.
[2] Shemos 34:9.
[3] Shemos Rabbah 42:9, cited in Torah Ohr, Megillas Esther
123b.
[4] As recited on the third day of Sukkos.
[5] “Shem Shomayim shagur befi kol.” Cf. Ma’amarei Admur
HaZaken 5565, Vol. 1, p. 12. Sha’arei Teshuvah, Vol. 1 8b.
[6] Tanya chs. 18, 19, 24.
[7] Hayom Yom p. 73.
Dedicated by Reb Shmuel Leib and Sara Rochel Markel in honor of the birth of their daughter, Yehudis bas Shmuel Leib. Yegadluha leTorah, lechuppah, ulemaasim tovim mitoch harchavah!
Dedicated in the merit of a speedy release for the captives Yonasan ben Malka (Jonathan Pollard), Jacob Ostreicher (Yaakov Yehuda ben Shaindel), Alan Gross (Aba Chonah ben Hava Chana), Sholom Mordechai Halevi ben Rivka (Sholom Rubashkin), and Zeva Rochel bas Chaya (Wendy Weiner Runge).
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Like what you read? The articles I write take a lot of time and effort. Please contact me to sponsor an article for (at least) $36 in honor of the birthday, wedding anniversary, or yarhtzeit of a loved one, or for a refuah shleimah or the like. Also, see here concerning the tremendous merit of supporting the dissemination of Chassidus, and the blessings that one receives for doing so.