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It is after the evening service when the service of the day begins. This is particularly relevant, because tonight begins the Alter Rebbe's yahrzeit. This shares a point of connection with the service of the month of Teves as a whole, which is alluded to by our Sages' description of Teves as "the month when the body derives pleasure from the body." Chassidic thought explains that this means that in this month, G-d's essence derives pleasure from the service of the Jewish people within the realm of physical reality. In a full and complete sense, this service is revealed by tzaddikim.

The 24th of Teves is associated with the Hebrew letters â-ï. This relates to the verse, "I will make your windows shining rubies" (âïâï). In Chassidic thought, the latter word is associated with the Midrashic expression, "I will do as this and as this," Åëâïà Åëâï, i.e., that there are two approaches of service, one beginning with the revelation from above, and the other beginning with the elevation of the worldly plane, and the ultimate level of service is to fuse the two.

Similarly, the simple meaning of the word kadkod, "a shining ruby," relates to the redemption. Firstly, the Hebrew word for stone, even (ÅüÇ), is associated with the Sefirah of Binah (äÉëü). Furthermore, among the prophecies associated the redemption is that "a stone" will become "the main cornerstone."

Herein, we have a connection to the Torah reading of the previous week which begins with the names of the Jewish people who descended to the Egyptian exile, Reuven, Shimon, and Levi. Our Sages explain that these names are repeated in the Book of Shmos despite their having been mentioned in the Book of Bereishis to teach that just as the Jewish people descended into exiles with these names, they ascended from exile without changing them. Exile had no effect upon them.

From the Egyptian exile, this concept can be extended to apply to the other exiles, and particularly, the present exile. Although our Sages stated, "All the appointed times for Mashiach's coming have passed," we are still in exile.

The imminence of the Redemption was, however, explained by the Previous Rebbe in three public notices printed in one of the newspapers of that time, HaKriah ViHakedushah and he directed that these public notices be publicized to many people.

Significantly, the name HaKriah ViHakedushah was also chosen by the Previous Rebbe. HaKriah means "the call," i.e., the material printed in HaKriah ViHakedushah represented a vibrant "call" to every Jew of the generation to increase holiness, and to make this holiness live and vibrant. And indeed, in many instances, through the study of the concepts printed in HaKriah ViHakedushah, an increase in holiness was brought about.

From Parshas Shmos, we proceed to Parshas Va'eira, which begins "I appeared to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'akov...." In his commentary, on the words "I appeared," Rashi adds "to the Patriarchs," emphasizing that the revelation to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'akov came because of the common factor that they share, that they are the Patriarchs of the Jewish people and endow their descendants with their spiritual qualities.

The above verse continues, "but My Name Y-H-V-H, I did not reveal to them." The name Y-H-V-H was revealed at the giving of the Torah and will be revealed in a complete manner in the Era of the Redemption.

And the Jewish people are prepared for this revelation. We are sitting at "the table of the feast"; all that is necessary is that G-d open our eyes for the feast of the Redemption to begin.

This will be hastened by making everyone an agent to distribute tzedakah, for "tzedakah brings the Redemption near." And this will enable us to "Come to Pharaoh, as related in the beginning of Parshas Bo. The Zohar explains that Pharaoh can be interpreted as a reference to the source for "the revelation of all lights" which in an ultimate sense will come in the Era of the Redemption with the revelation of G-d's essence through "the new [dimensions of the] Torah which will emerge from Me."

The Jews are worthy of these revelations and this worthiness will be enhanced by their resolution to give tzedakah as explained above. Therefore, G-d will not delay any longer and will bring the Redemption immediately. And then we will proceed "with our youth and with our elders... with our sons and our daughters" to our Holy Land, to Jerusalem, and to the Beis HaMikdash. May this take place in the immediate future.