Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet corresponds to a number, and the word “לב/leiv/heart” corresponds to the number 32 (ל/lamed is 30 and ב/beis is 2). It is therefore taught that the 32nd chapter of Tanya is the heart of this seminal work of Jewish mysticism. Chapter 32 discusses the commandment of loving one’s fellow as oneself.

We can fulfill this directive of loving our fellow as ourself, the Alter Rebbe teaches in chapter 32, only when we value our soul more than our body. While our bodies are what distinguish us, our soul is connected with every other soul because each soul is an actual fragment of Godliness. If we primarily value our body, we will cherish ourself most, but if we primarily value our soul, we will love others equally because we are all limbs of one united being.

This week, in parshas Ki Sisa, we read the 32nd chapter of the book of Exodus. And in the 32nd verse of the 32nd chapter – the “leiv/heart” of the “leiv/heart” of the book – we find Moses’ astounding declaration of love for his people. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah, the people below built the Golden calf. As a result of this great transgression, God tells Moses that He will destroy the existing nation and begin anew with Moses’ progeny. Moses’ response is emphatic: “if you will bear this sin, fine, but if not, please erase me from Your book” (Exodus 32:32).

The heart of the heart of the matter, Moses teaches us, is that we are one. If our fellow suffers, then it is we who are suffering. Even those who transgress – even a transgression as profound as the worship of the golden calf – they are a part of us as well, and we absolutely refuse to leave them behind and start again without them.

Moses, the greatest of all of the people, was willing to sacrifice his life for the least of the people. It is no coincidence that this statement was made in the “leiv/heart” (32nd verse) of the “leiv/heart”(32nd chapter) of the book. If we delve into our heart of hearts, we will find the core of our soul, and we will discover that it is precisely the same as that which is in the core of every one of our fellows.

— Pnei Hashem is an introduction to the deepest depths of the human experience based on the esoteric teachings of Torah.  www.pneihashem.com

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