Igrot Kodesh · Letter 305 — Kohanim After the Temple — Sacred Mission Continued Through Prayer

By the grace of Hashem,

25 Tishri* 5708,

To the distinguished Chassid*, Hashem-fearing, faithfully fulfilling

his task, Rav Y. HaCohen[1],

I greet and bless you,

I had expected that we would meet here at Sukkot*, the period during which you customarily come. It appears that this did not come about.

This is regrettable. After the destruction of the Temple*, the quality and mission of the Kohanim* still appears in the blessing they bestow during prayer. And indeed, synagogues are defined as small sanctuaries.

Chassidut* explains one of the benefits, for a Jew, of pilgrimage to the Temple*. There, he had the possibility of prostrating himself before Hashem, not only superficially with his body, but also with his soul, subjecting all its powers — his will, his intellect, his emotions — to Hashem.

Consequently, a synagogue in which one prostrates oneself deeply, in the fullest possible manner, is the true 'small sanctuary,' the one closest to the Temple*.

This is precisely what a Chassid* receives when he prays in his Rebbe*'s study hall. For every Chassid* is, to a greater or lesser degree, submitted to his Rebbe*. And when that Chassid* is a Kohen*, he recites the Priestly Blessing* in his Rebbe*'s study hall. He is then far closer to what he would have pronounced in the Temple* than if he said it in any other synagogue.

For the Priestly Blessing* in the Temple* was infinitely more significant than that pronounced outside its walls, as the Mishna* 37b states.

* * *

As you know, every Simchat Torah* morning, the verses of Ata Oreita*[2] are sold, according to the arrangement instituted by my father-in-law, the Rebbe* Shlita*, for the benefit of Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch*.

This year you were not present, and I asked myself what to do:

1. Purchase a verse on your behalf,

2. If so, for what amount — especially since you wrote nothing to me on the matter.

Then I reflected that:

1. I must take into account the words of the Admor HaZaken*, who says in the Tanya*: 'I am not unaware that times are difficult and that it is not easy to earn a living. Despite this, it is not good to close the hand that has always been open, that has always given generously and benevolently,'

2. Tzedakah* is but a loan to Hashem, Who repays it abundantly,

3. The Rebbe* said that one should not open a way toward diminishment,

4. One should not allow one's friends to acquire merit while one does not,

5. Merit may be conferred upon a person even in his absence.

From all of this I conclude that, from my perspective, I must consider and state that you are purchasing a verse, as you did last year, and for the same amount — that is, eighteen times eighteen dollars.

The Ata Oreita* verses recited on the morning of Simchat Torah*, which we purchased on behalf of those who were not present, were read by my father-in-law, the Rebbe* Shlita*.

Wishing you all the best, to you and all members of your family,

Rav Menachem Schneerson,
Director of the Executive Committee[3],

Under separate cover I have sent you our latest publications. Kindly confirm receipt.

Notes

[1] Rav Yaakov Kats, Chicago. See letter 174. Regarding the content of this letter, see also the previous letter.

[2] The verses preceding the Hakafot* of Simchat Torah*.

[3] Of Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch*.