The Secret of the Upper Throne: Finding Soulmates on Rosh Hashanah

<p><strong>Class #155 | Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Ki Tavo, Eve of 22 Elul 5758 – Class for <em>Avreichim</em> at the Rav's home in the Wall [Quarter]</strong></p><p><strong>Reb Noson reveals that the service of Rosh Hashanah is the finding of <em>zivugim</em> (soulmates) and spiritual roots. On the secret of the Upper Throne seen by our Holy Rebbe, the power of the Tzaddik as the Head Matchmaker, and the preparation required for the journey to Uman to merit salvations and the Geulah (Redemption).</strong></p><p>Reb Noson of Breslov revealed a tremendous <em>chiddush</em> (novel insight) regarding the conclusion of the Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Whoever merits being in Uman for Rosh Hashanah will hear, at the end of the Torah reading, the verses from Parshas Vayeira: &gt; "And it came to pass after these things, that it was told to Abraham, saying: 'Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor'... and Bethuel begot Rebecca."</p><p>Why do we conclude the reading of this holy and awesome day specifically with these verses, which detail the genealogy of Nahor? Reb Noson explains that this is the entire essence of Rosh Hashanah—finding one's <em>zivug</em> (soulmate). On the second day of the holiday, we read about the birth of the match for Yitzchak Avinu, "and Bethuel begot Rebecca." The entire essence of the journey to Uman and the inclusion in Rosh Hashanah is so that everyone may merit finding their own 'Rebecca'—the root of their soul.</p><p><strong>The Tzaddik is the Head Matchmaker</strong></p><p>The Tzaddik took upon himself the role of being the 'Matchmaker' of the Jewish people. As brought in <em>Chayei Moharan</em>, before Rosh Hashanah of the year 5569 (1808), our Holy Rebbe ascended to the Upper Worlds and saw a vision of awesome majesty. He saw a throne surrounded by fire, and all the souls were running to reach that throne. The moment the souls arrived at the throne—matches were immediately made.</p><p>Rebbe Nachman related: "I saw that everyone who reaches the throne returns with their partner. Billions of sons and daughters, and each one knows immediately who their partner is, and she knows who her partner is." All the matches are engraved upon the Upper Throne, and the moment one arrives there, the root of one's soul is revealed. A person who comes to the Tzaddik for Rosh Hashanah must return with their <em>shidduch</em> (match). This is the Head Office for matchmaking, and from there, all matches are drawn down for the entire year and for one's entire life.</p><p><strong>The Secret of Descent for the Sake of Ascent</strong></p><p>In that same Rosh Hashanah of 5569, Rebbe Nachman related that he no longer had the strength to return to this world. He was at tremendous heights, in the Upper Garden of Eden, and the thought of descending back into a physical body and this world was like the torture of the inferno for him. This is the secret of Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron. Our Sages say that they said, "When will these two old men [Moshe and Aaron] die, so that you and I can lead the generation?" This does not mean, Heaven forbid, that they wanted them to die out of malice. Rather, they saw that Moshe and Aaron would ascend to Heaven and then return, and they wondered: "What fool would descend back down? If one already merits being in Heaven, in the Garden of Eden, why go down?"</p><p>However, Moshe Rabbeinu, and likewise the true Tzaddik, descends back to this world despite the immense difficulty, solely to save Israel. Rebbe Nachman said: "I no longer wanted to come down; it was torture for me, but I returned." Why did he return? So that we could come to him on Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is not just a date on the calendar—it is a time when life-altering salvations are enacted. Here one finds <em>parnassah</em> (livelihood), here souls and children are drawn down, here one merits grandchildren and great-grandchildren.</p><p><strong>Not a Vacation – Holy Service</strong></p><p>The journey to Uman is not a vacation. One does not travel to see the scenery or to stroll in 'Sofia' Park. A person must know that he is traveling to the Holy of Holies, to the Foundation Stone. Time in Uman is more precious than gold. One must utilize every moment for prayer, to sit in the synagogue or at the holy Tziyun (grave site) and cry out to Hashem. To pray for friends, for the bachelors and bachelorettes, that everyone should find their match this year.</p><p>One must utilize the time for study, especially in the books of <em>Likutey Halachos</em>, which are full of prophecies and encouragement. If one finds it difficult to concentrate on prayer for long hours, let him study and place his hand on the Siddur or the book, and not distract his mind from holiness. If a person believes in the Rebbe and in Rosh Hashanah, there is nothing he cannot achieve. It is possible to effect salvations that are impossible to describe, provided one comes with seriousness, with awe, and does not waste time on nonsense.</p><p><strong>Rosh Hashanah and the Redemption of Mashiach</strong></p><p>Reb Noson writes in <em>Hilchos Shluchin</em> things that are in the category of prophecy regarding the Geulah. The power of Rosh Hashanah is directly connected to the revelation of Mashiach. In Gematria, "Rosh Hashanah" (ראש השנה – 861) equals exactly the numerical value of the two Messiahs together: "Nechemia ben Chushiel" (Mashiach ben Yosef – 520) plus "Menachem ben Amiel" (Mashiach ben David – 341). The total is 861.</p><p>On Rosh Hashanah, it is possible to draw down the aspect of Mashiach ben David and Mashiach ben Yosef, and to bring about the complete Geulah. This is the most fateful week of one's life. Anyone who belongs to this matter must take upon himself not to move from the Tziyun and from prayer, not to go sightseeing and not to wander around. To flee from all external places and focus only on the ultimate goal.</p><p>The main thing is prayer for the collective and for the individual. That everyone should return with their partner, that all friends should merit to build faithful homes. This is the main point of Rosh Hashanah—finding spiritual and physical lost objects, and in this merit, we will be worthy of the complete Geulah speedily in our days.</p><hr /><p>Class #155</p>