Igrot Kodesh · Letter 258 — Distribution of Chassidic Discourses

By the grace of Hashem*, Thursday 26 Kislev* 5707, To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem, who fulfills his mission with self-abnegation, Rav Y. Kats[1], I greet you and bless you,
In accordance with your letter, we have sent you the collections of chassidic discourses and, by separate parcel, the talk of 10 Kislev and the story of Chanukah*. You have no doubt received all of this in due time.
Knowing your desire to study the Sukkot* talks that were delivered in your presence, I am enclosing my own personal copy. As you will notice, it has not been reviewed by the Rebbe*. I do not know when he will be able to do so, and I do not wish to delay this shipment. You will therefore return this copy to me as quickly as possible.
I do not wish to be a creditor[2], especially since, as you write to me, you sometimes experience difficult moments. But I express the wish, and I want to be certain that, knowing the difficult situation of the Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch* and knowing that the printer delivered these collections of chassidic discourses more than two months ago, you will do everything in your power at the earliest opportunity and, in any case, as quickly as possible.
I will conclude by evoking Chanukah[3].
The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni* explains that the desert Sanctuary* was ready on the 25th of Kislev, but Hashem asked that its construction be delayed until the month of Nissan*. Nevertheless, in order to grant this date what was due to it, the festival of Chanukah was established there, twelve hundred years later.
Despite all this, it is said that the children of Israel brought their offerings for the Sanctuary over two days, the 11th and 12th of Tishri*. Why did they do so so quickly, since there was no rush whatsoever to build it?
The following lessons are derived from this:
1. Alacrity is a particularly precious value.
2. Each effort of a Jew to put a mitzvah* into practice bears fruit, even if, temporarily, one may not perceive it.
With my blessing of immediate teshuva*, immediate redemption,
Notes: [1] Rav Yaakov Kats, Chicago. See letter 174. [2] Reminding of unpaid book donations. [3] Drawing a lesson applying to what was just said.