BREAKING OUR BOUNDARIES - PARATZTA
Picture this scene. A powerful river is flowing with great force. In the path of this river stands a dam, blocking the flow of water. Suddenly the waters breach a hole in the dam and shoot out of this breach with incredible force. This image can be summarised in one word - Ufaratzta!
In a Yechidus in 1965, the Rebbe asked the Chassidic artist Reb Hendel Lieberman (Futerfas) to paint a painting of Ufaratzta. When R’ Hendel asked how, the Rebbe gave the description above.
The Rebbe took the word Ufaratzta and transformed it into an entire world-outlook and attitude. Ufaratzta is an approach in our Avodah of Torah and Mitzvos and spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus.
The term comes from Hashem’s promise to Yaakov;
וְהָיָ֤ה זַרְעֲךָ֙ כַּעֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ וּפָרַצְתָּ֛ יָ֥מָּה וָקֵ֖דְמָה וְצָפֹ֣נָה וָנֶ֑גְבָּה וְנִבְרֲכ֥וּ בְךָ֛
כָּל־מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָ֖ה וּבְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃
“… you shall spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you and your descendants.”
But Ufaratzta means much more than to just spread outwards.
A similar term is found at the birth of Tamar’s twins. One twin put his hand out and the midwife tied a red string to it, to designate him as the first born. But then he drew back his hand and his brother emerged first. She marvelled at his strength and exclaimed מַה־פָּרַ֖צְתָּ עָלֶ֣יךָ פָּ֑רֶץ, “You have made a breach (Paratzta) for yourself and so she named him Peretz”.
Ufaratzta or Paratzta means to break through boundaries. The Avodah of Ufaratzta is specifically when one needs to overcome and breach a limitation.
The Rebbe first spoke about the concept of Ufaratzta in 5718 and the words of the Posuk were put to a now-famous nigun. The Rebbe named the following year 5719 as the Year of Ufaratzta. The directive of Ufaratzta in Torah and Mitzvos featured strongly in the Rebbe’s letters and sichos throughout the year.
Ufaratzta or Paratzta does not only refer to breaking through the limitations of our animalistic soul that obstructs us from serving Hashem. There are limitations within the side of holiness as well, when our service of Hashem is limited and based on calculations and understanding.
Ufaratzta is to reveal the Yechida, the essential core of the Neshama, that desires only to serve Hashem, with a powerful desire that it unlimited. The Yechida is the deepest power with us, that can burst through and overcome all limitations.
The Rebbe described the approach of Ufaratzta in the 3 Pillars of Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chassadim;
In Torah study, even for the business person, Ufaratzta means to learn without looking at the clock (measuring). Even with Torah’s dispensation one should not want to suffice with the limited shiurim that he thinks that he can manage and should go beyond.
In Tefillah, Ufaratzta means that even when one has legitimate time limitations, they should not rush and should use their time to engage meaningfully.
In Gemilus Chassadim - Tzedakah - Ufaratzta means to give even beyond the limitations set by Torah of a tenth or a fifth.
The sound of the Shofar is the inner cry which expresses the deep power and yearning of the Yechida that is revealed on Rosh Hashana. The sound is produced by pressing one’s lips tightly together. Then, with the Shofar placed on the lips one forces their breath through, creating a small breach and a powerful sound.
This is similar to the Rebbe’s description of Ufaratzta.
This year is תש“פ. These letters form an acronym for a phrase describing the nature and Avodah of this year תהא שנת פרצת, this year should be a year of Paratzta, breaking through and transcending our boundaries and limitations in serving Hashem.
Hashem responds Mida Kneged Mida. When we serve Him in a manner of Paratzta, He will respond in kind; Even if there are barriers Above which restrict our blessings, Hashem will breach those barriers.
The ultimate boundary and constraint is Golus itself, which conceals Hashem’s presence and make it difficult for us to actualise our true selves.
Moshiach, a descendent of Peretz and collective Yechida-sould of the Jewish people is called the Poretz - the one who breaches through boundaries as the Novi Micha describes in a prophesy of the Geulah;
עָלָ֤ה הַפֹּרֵץ֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם פָּֽרְצוּ֙ וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ שַׁ֖עַר וַיֵּ֣צְאוּ ב֑וֹ וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר מַלְכָּם֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וַה‘ בְּרֹאשָֽׁם׃
“One who makes a breach goes before them… their king marches before them and Hashem at their head”.
May this year by Tehei Shnas Paratzta. May we break through our own personal limitations and may Hashem break through the walls Golus, breaching forth with the light of Moshiach the Poretz and the Geulah Shleimah.a
May this year by Tehei Shnas Paratzta. May we break through our own personal limitations and may Hashem break through the walls Golus, breaching forth with the light of Moshiach the Poretz and the Geulah Shleimah.
In a Yechidus in 1965, the Rebbe asked the Chassidic artist Reb Hendel Lieberman (Futerfas) to paint a painting of Ufaratzta. When R’ Hendel asked how, the Rebbe gave the description above.
The Rebbe took the word Ufaratzta and transformed it into an entire world-outlook and attitude. Ufaratzta is an approach in our Avodah of Torah and Mitzvos and spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus.
The term comes from Hashem’s promise to Yaakov;
וְהָיָ֤ה זַרְעֲךָ֙ כַּעֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ וּפָרַצְתָּ֛ יָ֥מָּה וָקֵ֖דְמָה וְצָפֹ֣נָה וָנֶ֑גְבָּה וְנִבְרֲכ֥וּ בְךָ֛
כָּל־מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָ֖ה וּבְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃
“… you shall spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you and your descendants.”
But Ufaratzta means much more than to just spread outwards.
A similar term is found at the birth of Tamar’s twins. One twin put his hand out and the midwife tied a red string to it, to designate him as the first born. But then he drew back his hand and his brother emerged first. She marvelled at his strength and exclaimed מַה־פָּרַ֖צְתָּ עָלֶ֣יךָ פָּ֑רֶץ, “You have made a breach (Paratzta) for yourself and so she named him Peretz”.
Ufaratzta or Paratzta means to break through boundaries. The Avodah of Ufaratzta is specifically when one needs to overcome and breach a limitation.
The Rebbe first spoke about the concept of Ufaratzta in 5718 and the words of the Posuk were put to a now-famous nigun. The Rebbe named the following year 5719 as the Year of Ufaratzta. The directive of Ufaratzta in Torah and Mitzvos featured strongly in the Rebbe’s letters and sichos throughout the year.
Ufaratzta or Paratzta does not only refer to breaking through the limitations of our animalistic soul that obstructs us from serving Hashem. There are limitations within the side of holiness as well, when our service of Hashem is limited and based on calculations and understanding.
Ufaratzta is to reveal the Yechida, the essential core of the Neshama, that desires only to serve Hashem, with a powerful desire that it unlimited. The Yechida is the deepest power with us, that can burst through and overcome all limitations.
The Rebbe described the approach of Ufaratzta in the 3 Pillars of Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chassadim;
In Torah study, even for the business person, Ufaratzta means to learn without looking at the clock (measuring). Even with Torah’s dispensation one should not want to suffice with the limited shiurim that he thinks that he can manage and should go beyond.
In Tefillah, Ufaratzta means that even when one has legitimate time limitations, they should not rush and should use their time to engage meaningfully.
In Gemilus Chassadim - Tzedakah - Ufaratzta means to give even beyond the limitations set by Torah of a tenth or a fifth.
The sound of the Shofar is the inner cry which expresses the deep power and yearning of the Yechida that is revealed on Rosh Hashana. The sound is produced by pressing one’s lips tightly together. Then, with the Shofar placed on the lips one forces their breath through, creating a small breach and a powerful sound.
This is similar to the Rebbe’s description of Ufaratzta.
This year is תש“פ. These letters form an acronym for a phrase describing the nature and Avodah of this year תהא שנת פרצת, this year should be a year of Paratzta, breaking through and transcending our boundaries and limitations in serving Hashem.
Hashem responds Mida Kneged Mida. When we serve Him in a manner of Paratzta, He will respond in kind; Even if there are barriers Above which restrict our blessings, Hashem will breach those barriers.
The ultimate boundary and constraint is Golus itself, which conceals Hashem’s presence and make it difficult for us to actualise our true selves.
Moshiach, a descendent of Peretz and collective Yechida-sould of the Jewish people is called the Poretz - the one who breaches through boundaries as the Novi Micha describes in a prophesy of the Geulah;
עָלָ֤ה הַפֹּרֵץ֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם פָּֽרְצוּ֙ וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ שַׁ֖עַר וַיֵּ֣צְאוּ ב֑וֹ וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר מַלְכָּם֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וַה‘ בְּרֹאשָֽׁם׃
“One who makes a breach goes before them… their king marches before them and Hashem at their head”.
May this year by Tehei Shnas Paratzta. May we break through our own personal limitations and may Hashem break through the walls Golus, breaching forth with the light of Moshiach the Poretz and the Geulah Shleimah.a
May this year by Tehei Shnas Paratzta. May we break through our own personal limitations and may Hashem break through the walls Golus, breaching forth with the light of Moshiach the Poretz and the Geulah Shleimah.