Hayom Yom 6 Tammuz - Transcendent lights of Mitzvos and Torah

הַמִּצְוֹת נִמְשָׁכוֹת עַל יְדֵי הַמַּקִּיף שֶׁבַּמִּצְוֹת עַצְמָם[The spiritual influence evoked by] the mitzvos is drawn down by means of the transcendent light generated by the mitzvos themselves.מִצְוַת צְדָקָה, עַל דֶּרֶךְ מָשָׁל, הִיא מִצְוָה כּוֹלֶלֶתFor example, the mitzvah of tzedakah is a comprehensive mitzvah, אֲשֶׁר כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת נִקְרָאוֹת בְּשֵׁם צְדָקָהas is evidenced by the fact that all the mitzvos are called “tzedakah.” וּמֵהַאי טַעְמָא נָכוֹן בִּמְאֹד לָתֵת קוֹדֶם כָּל מִצְוָה פְּרוּטָה לִצְדָקָהFor this reason, it is most appropriate to contribute a coin for charity before performing any mitzvah, שֶׁהוּא הַמְשָׁכַת הַמַּקִּיף בַּפְּנִימִיfor it draws the transcendent light (makkif) into the light that can be internalized (pnimi). וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם הַוֵי מַקִּיף הַקָּרוֹבStill, this transcendent light is “close,”מַה שֶׁאֵין כֵּן תּוֹרָה שֶׁהִיא מַקִּיף הָרָחוֹקwhereas the Torah is a “distant” transcendent light,וּפְעוּלָתוֹ נַעֲלָה יוֹתֵרwhose effects are more elevated.Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in EnglishFor questions and follow-up: [email protected]