תּוֹרָה פו - פּוֹסְעִים בּוֹ פְּסִיעָה קְטַנָּה

Pos'im Bo P'si'ah K'tanah — "They Step in It with Small Steps" · Opening: Berachos 43b · Likutay Moharan Part I, Toirah 86

The primary domination of the external forces [ chitzoinim ] during the weekdays is in the aspect of feet [ raglain ] — that is, they do not allow a person to walk in the ways of Hashem Yisborach. And on the holy Shabbos one regains and receives the power of walking as above — in the aspect of: "if you return your foot from Shabbos" [Isaiah 58:13]. But like an infant beginning to walk who still needs support to hold him — similarly when a person begins on Shabbos to walk in the ways of Hashem Yisborach — he still needs support to hold him. And this support comes through the aspect of truth — which is included in the holiness of Shabbos — as our Sages of blessed memory said: "even an unlearned person is afraid to lie on Shabbos" [Demai ch. 4]. But one still needs to give power to the walking vessels in order to be able to walk properly. And this one merits through the Shabbos charity — that is, giving charity for a person's Shabbos needs — or hosting a poor person at one's table.

Charity is the aspect of the sun — as it is written: "a sun of righteousness" [Malachi 3:20]. And charity given on weekdays corresponds to the sun of the present time. And Shabbos charity corresponds to the sun destined to be renewed in the future — which will be like the light of seven days. 📜 Translator's Summary — Toirah 86 [from the Translator] Central theme: The external forces attack primarily through the feet — preventing spiritual movement. Shabbos restores walking-power, but like an infant taking first steps the person needs support — provided by truth (the natural Shabbos virtue) and Shabbos charity. Shabbos charity is not the sun of today but the sun of the future age — the light of seven days. A profound distinction: weekday charity illuminates the present; Shabbos charity draws from the light of the World to Come.