Likutay Moharan - Torah-teaching 118

118 – When Learning a Concept, It Is Good to Explain It

When learning a concept, it is good to explain it in the Ashkenazic language [i.e., Yiddish or the vernacular], which he understands. [This is a benefit to the world.]

The matter is as follows: Every tzaddik (righteous person) of the generation is an aspect of Moses, who is an aspect of the Messiah, as it is written: “Until Shiloh comes” (Genesis 49:10) — this refers to the Messiah, and “Shiloh” has the same numerical value as “Moses” (Zohar Bereishit 25b, 27b).

For this reason, the Tannaim sometimes called each other “Moses,” as it says: “Moses, you have spoken well” (Shabbat 101b).

When a tzaddik brings forth a new insight in Torah, those innovations are themselves in the aspect of Moses-Messiah. As it is written in the Zohar (Vayeshev 192b): “And the spirit of G-d hovered over the waters” — this is the spirit of the Messiah, hovering over the Torah [symbolized by “waters”].

That is, the spirit of the Messiah hovers over his Torah innovations, which come from his very spirit, as it is written: “By the breath of His mouth” (Psalms 33:6; cf. Genesis 2:7).

And our Sages taught (Sanhedrin 98b; Zohar Vayakhel 212a) that the Messiah suffers afflictions on behalf