Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3267 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H,

14 Shevat 5715,
Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I respond to your letter of 20 Teves, which was delivered with delay.

You tell me that my letter was a vehement call to undertake action in the domain of Chabad*. It is not my habit to express myself vehemently. However, I employed vehement and sharp terms in my letter, because this demand, in this case, is not my own. It corresponds to the need and necessity of the moment, as my father-in-law, the Rebbe, emphasized on numerous occasions during his life in this world.

In writing to you, I was merely conveying his words and his discourses (those of the Frierdiker Rebbe), expressing them in my own formulation. I would not permit myself to conceal them from you, to take responsibility for not informing a particular person of something so crucial. To someone like you, it is surely unnecessary to say more.

You tell me that you experience relational difficulties (explaining the difficulty of conducting communal work). Even if this were indeed the case, transforming oneself is not a celestial accomplishment reserved for angels, but rather the lot of physical beings. The Rebbe Rashab* and his son, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose merit protects us, founded the Yeshivah* Tomchei Temimim* and they designated its students as "lights to illuminate." The words of the Tzaddikim* pierce and penetrate those who have been so called. And they produce their effect, providing the necessary means (to merit this title) to those who were students of this Yeshivah*. It therefore depends on each individual to make use of these strengths.

Nevertheless, the Tanya* explains that in various domains, a brief reflection, taking but little time, is sometimes sufficient, whereas at other times, an intense effort — physical and moral — as well as immense deepening, are necessary to become aware of this truth.

You mention certain events. Indeed, you approached a particular organization, as well as the Chassidim*, but all of this remained without effect. It is clear that from a distant place, one cannot formulate an opinion, especially after hearing only one side. Nevertheless, one can apply to each and every person in this generation the statement of the Tzemach Tzedek* (see Letter #3041) that "we are workers of the day," charged with illuminating this world. Without a doubt, everyone has the means to do so, and if it is not possible in collaboration with one person, one can do it with another, within Chabad*. It is surely unnecessary to say more.

You have also been sent the pamphlet that was published on the occasion of the Hilulah*, which you will certainly study. As you know, it is said that the Holy One, blessed be He, consulted the Torah to create the great world. And each person, through personal Torah* study, creates his own small world and perpetuates the great world, as stated in the Zohar*, Volume 2, page 161.

With my blessing for success and in expectation of your good tidings regarding all that has been said,

---

B"H,

14 Shevat 5715,
Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I received with pleasure your letter bearing good tidings. Indeed, the wedding was celebrated at a good and fruitful time. It took place in the proper manner, down to the smallest detail.

May Hashem grant that the blessings bestowed upon you be fully realized. Our Sages say that when one does good to someone, it is for many years. No doubt, you will therefore also experience success in other areas, including those you mention in your letter.

It is surely unnecessary to remind you of what is explained in Iggeres HaKodesh* of the Alter Rebbe*, in the chapter entitled "I have felt my smallness." It states there that a person who is showered with Divine beneficence must be particularly humble, for in this way, he is even closer to Hashem than before.

A brief reflection suffices to conclude that one must intensify one's Torah* study and Mitzvos* observance, as indicated in Chapter 32 of the Tanya*. Indeed, spirituality is the essential dimension. This text further explains what results from this for the love of one's fellow. Consequently, it is certain that you will intensify your action, as well as the influence you exert on your friends, in order to draw them closer to the actual practice of Mitzvos* and Jewish values in general.

May Hashem grant you success,

With my blessing,

N.B.: You ask me in which place you should settle. It is clear that it must be a place where people who observe Torah* and Mitzvos* reside. Indeed, the surrounding atmosphere has an undeniable effect.

ג'רסז*

ב"ה, י"ד שבט, תשט"ו
ברוקלין.

שלום וברכה!

נעם לי לקבל מכתבו מבשר טוב, אשר החתונה היתה בשעה טובה ומוצלחת וכדבעי בכל הפרטים, ויה"ר מהשי"ת אשר יקוימו בהם כל הברכות אשר ברכו אותם במילואם, וע"פ מרז"ל אשר כל שמטיבים לו הוא לאורך ימים, הרי בודאי גם בשאר הענינים תאיר ההצלחה מני' אליהם ובכלל זה גם הפרטים שמזכיר במכתבו, ובודאי למותר לעוררו על המבואר באגה"ק לרבנו הזקן ד"ה קטנתי, אשר בכל חסד וחסד שהקב"ה עושה לאדם צריך להיות שפל רוח במאד כי היא קרבת אלקים ביתר שאת מלפנים, שזה מביא בהתבוננות קלה להוספה בתורה ומצות ע"פ המבואר בתניא פרק ל"ב כיון שהעיקר אצלו הרוחניות וכו' וע"פ המבואר שם שזהו פועל בהענין דאהבת ישראל הרי בודאי יוסיף בפעולתו והשפעתו על חבריו לקרבם לקיום מצות מעשיות וליהדות בכלל והשי"ת יצליחו.

ברכה.

נ.ב.

בנוגע לשאלתו אודות מקום התיישבות. הנה מובן שצ"ל במקום שם דרים מקיימי תורה ומצות שהרי גם האויר משפיע.