A Harp of 72 Strings: Dancing Toward the Geulah

The article before us, edited closely in accordance with the words of our teacher, the holy Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, opens with a wondrous explanation of Rechavam’s words in the Midrash: “with scorpions (ba’akrabim).” The “scorpion,” it is explained, is nothing other than an allusion to the words “Yekar ru’ach ish tevunah” (“Precious is the spirit of a discerning man”), which hint to the holy Shem Ayin-Beis (the sacred Name of 72 letters), the Name of the light of Chochmah (Divine wisdom). Today, we are living under the hanhagah (spiritual mode of Divine conduct) of Shem Samech-Gimmel, but behold—the seventh millennium is approaching us in giant steps (in only about two hundred years), and then Shem Ayin-Beis will be revealed in all its splendor.

These are the holy words of our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a in the daily chizuk (strengthening) — Sunday, 5 Adar 5786:

A New Song and a Harp of 72 Strings

Rebbe Nachman teaches that the verse, “Sing to Hashem a new song, for He has done wonders,” refers precisely to that future. The revelation of Shem Ayin-Beis will bring with it miracles and wonders never yet seen, until we will be able to see the Creator “eye to eye,” as it is said: “For eye to eye they will see when Hashem returns to Zion.” This spiritual transition is compared to a musical instrument: if today the harp (kinnor) has 7 strings, and Moshiach will play on a harp of 8 strings, then in the eighth millennium we will merit a harp of 72 strings.

(A power that will enable us to grasp Godliness in a tangible, living way.)

[VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/1167064167?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci]

Turning Every Day into a Yom Tov

Chazal (our Sages) in Maseches Shabbos instructed us to turn each and every day into a “Yom Tov” (a festival day). In the blessing of Modim (the thanksgiving blessing in the Amidah), we say: “and for Your miracles that are with us every day”—we witness new miracles at every moment, even if our physical eyes do not always notice them. In Maseches Ta’anis it is said: “Praise Hashem, all nations,” even though all the nations seek our harm. Why? Because specifically from within the darkness, the greatest light breaks forth.

Rashi, in his commentary on Maseches Ta’anis, overturns the common understanding. While it is customary to think that one cannot learn the laws of fasting because of the abundance of troubles, Rashi teaches that “it is impossible to learn Maseches Ta’anis” because of the intensity of the “Yom Tov”—the abundance and revealed miracles that always surround us. Holocaust survivors testified that every second was a miracle; every breath was a Yom Tov.

(The threats exist, but our very existence within them is an ongoing wonder.)

The Secret of Dancing and Sweetening the Judgments

Rabbi Nosson of Breslov, the outstanding disciple of Rebbe Nachman, gives us a revolutionary perspective on avodas Hashem (serving Hashem). It is commonly said that the fasts (Monday and Thursday) come to atone for a lack of joy. But Rabbi Nosson explains: the lack was not in abstract joy, but in its practical expression—we did not dance enough. If we had danced 24 hours a day on Simchas Torah, there would have been no place for sin, and Moshiach would already be here.