Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4508 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H

5 Tammuz 5716

Brooklyn

I greet you and bless you.

I duly received your letter of the 17th (see note 1) of Sivan and the two copies of the journal. While leafing through it, I saw that the congress of the communities of your city has been established (see note 2), and according to what is stated in this announcement, it will also rule on questions concerning the Torah, the mitzvos*, Yiddishkeit* in general. It would be good to know the details of these discussions and especially the decisions that will be made. I am surprised that you say nothing about this in your letter, but perhaps you did not know. And even if this concerns only the natives of the land, the rule that "every Jew is a guarantor for all the others" applies to them as well.

You speak of outreach work among women and you say that it has no benefit regarding Yiddishkeit. You know that when ten Jews gather together, the Shechinah* is revealed, even if they do not engage in Torah and its mitzvos. And since the Shechinah is revealed, it is difficult to imagine that this has no benefit in the domain of Yiddishkeit — provided, of course, that one makes use of this auspicious moment. One must therefore endeavor to do so (see note 3), even if they have not wished to until now.

In this regard, I am surprised that your article, printed in this journal, concludes with "all the people of Israel and the State of Israel" (see note 2), whereas this was not at all discussed previously.

Likewise, I saw the announcement of the opening of a summer Talmud Torah*, starting from the 25th of May. You will tell me what is being done to increase the number of students.

May Hashem grant that you intensify your effort. In this way, this increase will be even greater.

With my blessing for good news of all this,

---

B"H

6 Tammuz 5716

Brooklyn

To the distinguished Rav*, eminent Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs,

Rav Shneur Zalman (see note 1),

I greet you and bless you.

I am responding to your letter of the 18th of Sivan and those that preceded it. I am surprised that none of you mentions the progress of the construction of the mikveh* (see note 2) and of the shul* (see note 3). Has it at least been begun?

I have repeatedly emphasized to you the imperative necessity of completing this mikveh as soon as possible, of ensuring that it is aesthetically pleasing, including in its external appearance. I hope you will inform me by return mail what is being done in this area.

Naturally, you may make mention of the fact that I have asked, with insistence, about this. Indeed, our masters have specified that every Chassid must carry out the mission entrusted to him, that one must not adopt the well-known outlook (see note 4) according to which "the tzaddik* shall live by his faith" (see note 5). But, to my great regret, several Chassidim do the opposite of this.

The celebration of the liberation of the 12th and 13th of Tammuz (see note 6) will surely be observed in the fitting manner. May Hashem grant you success.

With my blessing,

Notes:

(1) The Rebbe writes "Tov" (good), a word whose numerical value is seventeen.

(2) See, on this subject, letter no. 4633.

(3) To make use of this moment.

(1) Rav Shneur Zalman Garelik, Rav of Kfar Chabad. See, regarding him, letter no. 4281.

(2) See, on this subject, letter no. 4284.

(3) See, on this subject, letter no. 4318.

(4) See, on this subject, letter no. 2625.

(5) The Chassidim, without demanding effort on their part.

(6) Of the Frierdiker Rebbe* from the Soviet prisons.

ד'תקח*

ב"ה, ו' תמוז, תשט"ז
ברוקלין.
הרה"ג הרה"ח אי"א נו"נ עוסק בצ"צ

מו"ה שניאור זלמן שי'

שלום וברכה!

במענה על מכתבו מח"י סיון והקודמים. ולפלא שאיש מהם לא מזכיר דבר בהתקדמות בנין בית הטבילה, וכן בנוגע לבנין בית הכנסת עכ"פ מהתחלתו, אף שכ"פ עוררתי על ההכרח הכי גדול להקדים בית הטבילה ושיהי' ביופי אפילו יופי חיצוני, ואקוה שעכ"פ עתה בחוזר יודיעו ברור מהנעשה בזה, ומובן שברשותו להודיע ששאלתי עד"ז ברעש , כי לצערי הכי גדול בה בשעה שדעת רבותנו היתה שכאו"א מאנ"ש ידע מהמוטל עליו לעשות, ולא כהשיטה הידועה, וצדיק באמונתו יחי', כנראה כמה מהם עושים ההיפך...

בודאי ינצלו ימי חג הגאולה י"ב וי"ג תמוז באופן המתאים, והשי"ת יצליחם.

בברכה.

ד'תקח*
מו"ה שניאור זלמן: גרליק, רבו של כפר חב"ד. אגרות נוספות אליו - לעיל ד'רפא, ובהנסמן בהערות שם.

בית הטבילה: ראה לעיל אגרת ד'רפד, ובהנסמן בהערות שם.

בית הכנסת : ראה לעיל אגרת ד'שיח, ובהנסמן בהערות שם.

כהשיטה... יחי ': ראה לעיל ח"ט אגרת ב'תרכה, ובהנסמן בהערות שם.