The Skulener Rebbe of Yerushalayim shared an unusual chassidishe teaching about the spiritual significance of kugel, citing earlier tzaddikim who taught that eating the traditional dish on Shabbos and Yom Tov carries the power of “breaking harsh judgments.”
The Rebbe addressed the obvious question: How can an ordinary food such as kugel possibly be credited with such a profound spiritual effect?
In explaining the idea, the Rebbe cited teachings passed down in the name of tzaddikim of previous generations, who emphasized that seemingly simple Jewish customs — particularly those connected with honoring Shabbos and Yom Tov — can contain lofty spiritual meaning far beyond what is apparent on the surface.
The Rebbe then turned to this year’s Rosh Hashanah, when the first day falls on Shabbos and the shofar is therefore not blown.
The Rebbe said that under such circumstances, the kugel eaten on Shabbos takes on a particularly significant role — serving, in a manner of speaking, in place of the shofar blowing.
The Rebbe explained that if tzaddikim teach throughout the year that Shabbos kugel possesses the power to “break harsh judgments,” then on a Rosh Hashanah that falls on Shabbos, when there is no shofar blowing, eating kugel can be viewed as an additional spiritual means of sweetening the judgments on the Yom HaDin.
The Rebbe stressed that the observation was offered “in a humorous vein,” rather than as a literal halachic statement. At the same time, he noted that chassidishe sayings delivered with a smile often contain a much deeper message.
The teaching, he explained, reflects the sanctity of Shabbos, the spiritual power contained within longstanding Jewish customs, and the understanding that avodas Hashem is expressed not only during exalted moments of tefillah and shofar blowing, but also through the seemingly ordinary actions of a Yid who honors and sanctifies Shabbos.
{Matzav.com}
