watch for maamorim on sukkos coming out soon...

To understand the man Rashbi, (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; sage of the tannaic era) its elaborated upon in the Maamorim of the Rebbe Maharash, that this that the (other) sages coined different titles upon Rashbi, for example, Rabbi Yehuda would call him "sabbath", and then there's the phrase "Who is the face of the master 'O G-d? This is Rashbi!", we will understand this by first understanding the praises offered to G-d, for at first glance it appears strange, does G-d really need our praises? (he is above and beyond anything and everything, we are like Ants before him...) The explantion given is quite profound: The worlds take no place by G-d; and for Him to "give" life and vitality, this is for him a degration (kavyochol). Therfore the method to arouse, so to speak, G-d's will to give; it is through praises. This is also why in the maamer he uses the term "Norah", which means "Awsome", since he is so great (Rashbi) that it causes fear.

Points of the maamer:

1. Rashbi, in relation to the other Tanaaim is like G-d and the creatures. (creator and creations).
2. In order to arouse G-d, and Rashbi to "give" - it is through praising them.
3. That is why we say praises in Davening before asking requests.

4. Rashbi was "Mamshich" "Aisan" to the other Tanaaim.
5. Rashbi revealed the Yechidah of Torah; the inner aspect of the Torah. And: Rashbi like the Yechidah, because:
6. As said above, Rashbi was "Shelo B'erech" to the other Tanaaim. Just as Yechidah is above and beyond all the other parts/names of the Neshama.

This is in short. More coming soon, G-d willing.

Happy Lag B'Omer.

Shimon