Monday Tishrei 26 5704
Torah Lessons (5703)	Chumash: Noach, Sheini with Rashi. Tehillim: 119, 97 to end. Tanya: (And that is (p. 535)...dust, and water. (p. 537).

The interpretation of the verse, "Forever, O G-d, Your word stands firm in the heavens." [1] (Tanya II:I and IV:25) is quoted by the Alter Rebbe in the Baal Shem Tov's name although that interpretation is found in Midrash Tehillim, as quoted in Likutei Torah in the Maamar Ki Bayom Hazeh Yechapeir.

But the Alter Rebbe had a special reason for this: It was on the second day of Creation when G-d said: "Let there be a Heaven," [2] and it is this utterance which "stands firm in the Heavens."

Associating the quotation with the Baal Shem Tov was to be an eternal memorial that the Baal Shem Tov was born on the second day of the week, [3] on the eighteenth (Chai) of Elul.

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) Tehillim 119:89.

2. (Back to text) Bereishit 1:6.

3. (Back to text) Monday; paralleling the second day of Creation.