Becoming Wholly Human First
במדרש כובד אבן כו' וכעס אויל כבד כו'.
“In the Midrash: ‘The weight of a stone… and the anger of a fool is heavier…’”
The Sefat Emet begins by invoking a Midrash that contrasts the heaviness of physical objects with the even greater weight of foolish anger. He uses this as a conceptual doorway into the nature of creation and the human role within it.
כי הנה עיקר הבריאה. האדם. היינו איש ישראל כמ"ש אתם קרוים אדם.
“For behold, the essence of creation is the human being—meaning the Jewish person—as it is said: ‘You are called Adam.’”
The Rebbe explains that the true center of creation is the human being, specifically Israel, who uniquely bears the designation “Adam,” indicating spiritual centrality and responsibility.
והוא פנימיות הבריאה.
“And he is the inner dimension of creation.”
Israel constitutes the inner spiritual core of the world, giving purpose and direction to all existence.
והעשרה מאמרות הם קיום הבריאה בכלל לכן הם לדצח"מ.
“And the Ten Utterances sustain creation as a whole; therefore they correspond to the plagues.”
The Ten Utterances of creation uphold the universal order; the ten plagues demonstrate the unraveling of that order when misused or opposed.
ועשרת הדברות שייכים רק לאדם כי תיקון וקיום האדם הוא סדר מיוחד העולה מעלה מעלה.
“But the Ten Commandments pertain only to the human being, for the repair and elevation of the human is a unique process that ascends ever upward.”
The Commandments address the inner life of the human—something distinct from the universal creative utterances—charting a path of spiritual ascent unique to Israel.
וקודם קבלת הדברות היו צריכים לכנוס כולו בגדר אדם להיבדל מנפש הבהמיות וזה גלות מצרים.
“And before receiving the Commandments, they had to enter fully into the category of ‘human,’ separating from the animal soul, and this was the exile in Egypt.”
Egypt served as a refining crucible in which Israel detached from purely instinctual existence and prepared for the divine calling of Sinai.
וכן הענין בעובד ה' בכלל ובפרט בחי' עבד ובן.
“And so it is for every servant of God, generally and particularly, in the aspects of ‘servant’ and ‘child.’”
Each individual must navigate two spiritual modes: serving like a devoted servant and relating like a child to a parent.
לזה נבחרו בנ"י בנים אתם לחפשא בגניזין דאביהם.
“For this Israel was chosen: ‘You are children’—to search in the hidden treasures of their Father.”
As God’s children, Israel is granted access to the inner spiritual storehouses where divine meaning and purpose are concealed.
שזה ענין תורה ומצות שהודיע לנו הש"י שורש ופנימיות וטעם כל הדברים במקור העליון.
“This is the essence of Torah and commandments: the Blessed One revealed to us the root, the innerness, and the reason of all things in their supernal source.”
Torah uncovers the hidden architecture of reality, showing the deeper purposes that lie beneath creation.
ומצד זה בא התחדשות כמ"ש החודש הזה לכם.
“And from this comes renewal, as it is said: ‘This month shall be for you.’”
Because Israel is connected to the inner root of reality, they can access ongoing spiritual renewal, symbolized by the new moon.
ובבחי' עבד יש שייכות לכל הברואים.
“And in the aspect of ‘servant,’ there is a connection to all creatures.”
The servant‑mode links Israel to the broader created order, for all beings can serve God in some manner.
רק בנ"י נבחרו בבחי' בן.
“But Israel alone was chosen in the aspect of ‘child.’”
The child‑mode is unique to Israel, granting access to intimacy and inwardness in divine service.
ובפרט למצוא כ"א מקומו ושורשו כנ"ל.
“And especially to enable each person to find his place and his root, as above.”
Each individual’s task is to uncover their unique spiritual root and mission.
ומול זה יש ב' שבתות כי בו שבת הוא שבת קבוע וקיימא.
“Corresponding to this there are two Sabbaths: for ‘He rested on it’ refers to the fixed, eternal Sabbath.”
The first Sabbath reflects the cosmic rest established at creation—constant and universal.
וזכור בעשרת הדברות הוא השבת השייך לבנ"י דווקא.
“And ‘Remember,’ in the Ten Commandments, is the Sabbath that pertains specifically to Israel.”
This second Sabbath expresses the unique relationship between God and Israel, rooted in covenant rather than creation.
ומוסיפים קדושה על קדושה.
“And they add holiness upon holiness.”
Israel enhances the foundational holiness of creation with additional layers of sanctity through mitzvot.
ולכן נאמר וזכרת כי עבד היית כו'.
“Therefore it is said: ‘And you shall remember that you were a servant…’”
Remembering servitude reminds Israel of the foundational level shared with all creation, even as they ascend to the child‑aspect.
ועמ"ש בשבת הגדול מזה:
“And see what I wrote on Shabbat HaGadol regarding this.”
The Rebbe points to a related teaching for further elaboration.
Summary: The Sefat Emet explains the dual structure of creation and revelation: Ten Utterances for the world, Ten Commandments for Israel. Israel’s journey from Egypt is the transformation from animal‑soul to full ‘Adam,’ capable of child‑mode intimacy with God. This duality is mirrored in the two Sabbaths—universal and covenantal—through which Israel adds holiness to creation.