Igrot Kodesh · Letter 189 — First Commandment, Exodus, and Emunah over Abstract Creation

With the help of Hashem,

4 Sivan 5705,

To the exalted and honored, man of truth, Hashem-fearing, etc.,

Mr. Alexander Cohen[1] may he live,

Peace and blessing!

You surely know that our friend Mr. Stolman,[2] may he live, sent the check to "Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch"*, and I take this opportunity to express to him once again heartfelt thanks for his efforts, troubles, and work in this — in the past, the present, and, as we all hope, in the future. The main "Yasher Koach"* he has is from the things themselves that are being done and can continue to be carried out, through this donation.

In the first commandment at the giving of the Torah: "I am Hashem your G-d Who brought you out of the land of Egypt"[3] — they ask (for example: Ibn Ezra* on Exodus 20:1): it should have been written something greater, namely, "Who created the heavens and the earth and Who made you." Beyond the fact that "Who created the heavens, etc." is a greater matter, it also provides a stronger explanation for all the generations, whereas "Who brought you out of the land of Egypt" was only witnessed by that generation, and the principal significance in it was also only for them.

Chassidus* answers this:

Creation, after all, is bringing something into existence from nothing (ex nihilo). For this, there is the Divine illumination that relates to the worlds. The Exodus from Egypt, on the other hand, which could only take place through signs and wonders (Deuteronomy 4:34) — that is, through drawing out the existing from the principles and limits of the existent and of Creation (this is also the hint in the word "Yetzias Mitzrayim"* — to go out from Mitzrayim, meaning "boundaries," as in Lamentations 1:3) — here there was a revelation of Divinity* that was much loftier. That is why the Exodus from Egypt is mentioned at the giving of the Torah, which is itself loftier than Creation and its limits.

By way of analogy (though the matters are not comparable), so too it is with a person: to teach oneself or another to walk from the outset on a straight path, is a matter relatively easy. But if one must change one's principles and go out of the limits one has grown accustomed to live within, and which in some matters have already been verified as correct, but in a given case they are an obstacle — this is "Yetzias Mitzrayim"* and going out of boundaries — which is far more difficult.

In this lies my hope, dear Mr. Cohen, that he too will assist Mr. Stolman so that he be able to go out from his boundaries and his principles and receive in full measure the directives of my father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita*. And certainly, as until now, he will have success in this as well.

With greetings of peace and with the blessing of the holiday,

Rabbi Menachem Schneersohn

Chairman of the Executive Committee

P.S.

Enclosed: (a) a copy of my letter to Mr. Stolman; (b) a supplementary affidavit from the bookkeeper; (c) the publications "Shelah" and "Shavuos."

[Footnotes]

Chairman of the Executive Committee: Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch.

My letter to Mr. Stolman: in English.