Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4100 — Chinuch
Volume 12 · Letter 296 · To: distingué ‘Hassid qui craint D.ieu
B"H
7 Shevat* 5716
Brooklyn
To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem,
full of eagerness, of fine conduct,
who abounds in positive actions,
Rav Moshe Zalman (Rav M. Z. Feiglin of Melbourne, Australia; see letter no. 833) shlita*,
Greetings and blessings,
After a long silence, during which I nevertheless obtained news of you and your family, I was pleased to receive your letter from the eve of Shabbos* Vayechi*, in which you express your satisfaction at seeing the development of Yeshivah* Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak* of Melbourne.
The Chassidim* emphasize that "joy breaks through all boundaries," and yours should therefore lead you to redouble your ardor in order to strengthen and expand the Yeshivah*, which is a source of blessing for all the Jews of Melbourne and the entire country, materially and spiritually.
Thus, the Torah* relates to us that "the deeds of the fathers are an indication for the children." Now, when our father Yaakov* went to Egypt, "he sent Yehudah" "to survey, before him, the land of Goshen." Our Sages explain that he went there to establish a Yeshivah*. In this way, Yaakov*, the founder of that Yeshivah*, was able to live the best part of his life in Egypt — in accordance with the question ("How could Yaakov, the choicest of the Patriarchs, live the best years of his life in Egypt?") that the Tzemach Tzedek* posed to his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe*, author of the Tanya*, and the answer ("Precisely because he established a house of study there") that he gave him. You should consult, on this subject, the Hayom Yom*, page 12.
I express the wish and hope to receive your good tidings in all these domains for many more years. You will also give me good tidings, material and spiritual, of yourself and of your entire family.
And the merit of the one whose Hilloula* we observe on the 10th of Shevat*, which is approaching — my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose merit protects us, and after whom this holy institution (the Yeshivah* of Melbourne) is named — will protect you and all the members of your family, materially and spiritually.
With blessing for long days, good years, and for conveying good tidings,