Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4575 — communal-address

B"H

29 Tammuz 5716

Brooklyn

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

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter of Thursday of Parshas Chukas* and to the one that preceded it. You mention your latest visit regarding the synagogue in your city (concerning which a court case is pending about the mechitzah* — the separation between men and women; see letter 4476).

It follows from what you write that Hashem has granted you a merit. And our Sages say that "no one can touch what has been prepared for his fellow." It is for this reason that they do not succeed in taking this merit from you, even though one must ensure that this interest is shared, including financially. However, it seems to you that the interest shown is not positive (being linked to the court case). This should not cool your enthusiasm, but rather the contrary, as has been seen.

You ask me how you will be able to accomplish all this.

As you know, one of the foundations of the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov* is that from everything, one can and must draw a lesson for the action and the mission one receives in this lower world. One of the lessons that can be drawn from the popular expression "atomic age" is that a small part of a quantum can destroy an entire city and hundreds of thousands of people within it, which Hashem should prevent. Indeed, Hashem has placed immense energy within this small particle.

Now, if this is the case for misfortune and destruction, which Hashem should prevent, it clearly means that such a capacity exists within the human spirit and can be used positively — to repair and to build.

I am convinced that these few lines will give you courage and illuminate your action.

Regarding the experts who must participate in the trial on the defense side — given the prevailing practice here, they must express themselves well in English. You will surely find them within the Rabbinical Association, the Union of Rabbis, or the Rabbinical Federation (the various rabbinical organizations that exist in the United States).

I await your good news. You will tell me that you are enlisting in the army of Hashem in order to carry out the vengeance of Hashem, and not that you are discouraged. May Hashem grant that you achieve great success.