Hayom Yom

Patach Eliyahu is said before Mincha, but not Hodu (p. 124/125).

In 5608 (1848) the Tzemach Tzedek delivered a maamar on the verse "If you lend money..."[1] The Hebrew word kessef ("money") connotes the soul, because the soul has a desire and longing (kossef) to rise to the heights. This is expressed in the passage, "It is the spirit of man which rises upward to the supernal heights."[2] "Man" (adam in this verse) refers to the souls of Israel, as in the statement, "You (Israel) are called adam."[3]

The soul is "on loan" to man, and it is written "Days are formed",[4] i.e. there is a fixed number of days that each man shall live, and if one day is missing - one garment is missing.[5]

Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.

This day marks the birth, in 5638 (1878), of Rav Levi Yitschak Schneerson of blessed memory, father of the Rebbe. It also marks the day of brit mila of the Rebbe of righteous memory, in 5662 (1902), at which occasion Rav Levi Yitschak explained at length the inter-relationship of these two events.

From today's Torah-reading; Sh'mot 22:24.

Kohelet 3:21.

Yevamot 61a.

Tehillim 139:16.

Performance of mitzvot during life provides "clothing" for the soul.

במנחה אין אומרים הודו, אבל אומרים פתח אלי'[הו]. שנת תר"ח אמר הצמח צדק מאמר על פסוק אם כסף תלוה גו', כסף הוא הנשמה, על שם שהיא תמיד בכוסף ותשוקה לעלות למעלה, וכדכתיב רוח האדם היא העולה למעלה, דאדם הם נש"י [נשמות ישראל], אתם קרוים אדם, והנשמה נתונה בהלואה להאדם, וכתיב ימים יוצרו גו', דיש מספר קבוע כו', וחסר יומא חדא חסר לבושא חדא.