In the Shaar HaTekiyos from Siddur im Dach, a Siddur with commentary culled from the Chassidus of the Alter Rebbe, originally published by the Mitteler Rebbe in 5576 (1816), the second Ma’amer is entitled L’hovin Inyan T’kiyas Shofar al pi Kavanos h’Baal Shem Tov.
It’s a foundational Ma’amer of Chasidus on the meaning of the Mitzvah of Shofar, that is based on the “Intentions” one is supposed to have as per the Torah of the Baal Shem Tov.
The exact origins of this Ma’amer are somewhat mysterious, and we don’t know when or where it was originally delivered. What is certain is that it is an original Ma’amer of the Alter Rebbe, that was committed to writing in its present form by the Mittele Rebbe. Furthermore, which part of the Ma’amer precisely comprises the Kavonos HaBaal Shem remains a mystery, something that the Rebbe himself noted on several occasions.
In Sefer HaMinhagim, the Rebbe writes that the Friediker Rebbe would instruct the Baal Toke’a to study this Ma’amer on the mornings of Rosh Hashanah, adding that it is seemingly since this Ma’amer provides the appropriate intentions for Tekiyas Shofar.
At the Yom Tov table of the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5723 (1962) the Rebbe (responding to a query of the elder Chossid Reb Shmuel Levitin) suggested that it was actually appropriate for everyone to study the Ma’amer, as mindfulness and intentions are considered to be a personal responsibility. At the time the Rebbe likened it to the reading of the 10 sons of Haman in a single breath – which is done by everyone individually, before listening to the Baal Koreh read from the Megillah.
Although over the years Chassidim have fulfilled these explicit instructions, yet many found it especially difficult to understand and appreciate the meaning of this Ma’amer – due to the unusual style and particularly deep and sophisticated content.
This year, Shliach Rabbi Mendel Kaplan of Chabad Flamingo in Toronto, decided to try and make this Ma’amer available to the masses – for the first time ever – by investing hours of preparation and delivering a series of Shiurim in his uniquely lucid and dynamic style.
For this year, he managed to teach only the opening in a series of six classes and is now teaching the conclusion (in what will be) four classes.
Rabbi Kaplan noted that the Rebbe would mention something about this Ma’amer almost annually during the Farbrengens on Rosh Hashanah or Shabbos Shuva, and ideas from it are mentioned or referenced in many of Rebbe’s Ma’amarim as well.
The video classes are now available, on Rabbi Kaplan’s YouTube channel
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4jPxSaLHTBTSbfPHtl2zhg9D2T62Ta09
Click here to download PDF of the Maamar.
Can a pdf of the maimor be posted please?