Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1079 — Faith & Bitachon

B'ezras Hashem,

4 Tammuz 5711,

Brooklyn,

To the Rav, distinguished chassid who fears Hashem,

Rav Aryeh Dov[1], the shochet*,

Greetings and blessings,

I received your two requests for a brochah*. I will read them when I find myself at the tziyun* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe. He will surely arouse Divine mercy so that the wishes of your heart be fulfilled. You will no doubt give good news of all those whom you mention in your request for a brochah.

Concerning your trip to Ireland[2], it would be good that this trip also have a contribution in the spiritual domain. Certainly, material sustenance is particularly important, as the revealed part of Torah and, in particular, chassidus*, establish. Nevertheless, when about ten chassidim*, former students of the yeshivah*, travel once, then a second time, then a third, slaughter hundreds of animals and receive books or francs[3], then return home, one can readily imagine that their mission in this world has not been brought to completion, that such conduct is not refined.

It is related that, in the days of the Mitteler Rebbe*, the chassidim who came to Lubavitch[4] and returned home — most often on foot — were asked to expound chassidus in all the places through which they passed, including the very smallest villages, since they were passing through them. Now, the goal of their journey was to go to Lubavitch and then return home. Nevertheless, the places through which they passed were not points of separation, but rather points of connection.

The writings of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, explain what hisbonenus* is. I am convinced that profound reflection will permit you to conclude that, even if you go to Ireland to provide for your needs and those of your family and that you then return home, you can act in all the places through which you will pass, so that it be evident that you are chassidim, former students of the yeshivah, and bound to my father-in-law, the Rebbe.

May Hashem grant that you may find the work that suits you, and the best manner of making this trip a means of illuminating the darkness of the world.

With my brochah for a good journey, for fruitful work, and in greeting your entire community,

Notes

[1] Rav A. D. Edelman, of Paris.
[2] In order to perform shechitah* there to provide meat for the refugees.
[3] From Ireland or from France.
[4] To see the Rebbe.