Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4843 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H

17 MarCheshvan* 5717

Brooklyn

To the distinguished chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Baruch (Rav B. Litvin, of Mt. Clemens; see letters 4476, 5238, and 5262),

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter from the Wednesday of Parshas* Vayeira. In the meanwhile, you have surely received my response to your previous letter.

I am surprised by what you tell me — that no one is in contact with you regarding the court case concerning the separation between men and women in your synagogue. Indeed, as I mentioned in my previous letter, the organization of Rabbis of the United States and Canada has indeed intervened in this matter. Rav Hollander is following the case and will surely contribute financially, although the amount has not yet been specified. I spoke with him about it and he was considering intervening as an expert. But you no doubt possess all this information firsthand.

My intention, for which I asked Rav Hecht to telephone you, was in addition to what has just been said, and it was the following. He himself is an excellent orator in English, who makes a strong impression in various circles, here and elsewhere. Now, the impression one gives to the judge and to those present is decisive for the final verdict. It seemed to me that all of this must be kept in mind and that one should be ready. Subsequently, a decision will be made whether it is necessary to have recourse to it — whether Rav Hecht should intervene at the trial.

In the meanwhile, I have learned that various conservative circles wish to smooth things over and find a resolution. I do not know to what extent this information is verified or well-founded. Nevertheless, it is certain that if the judge is in a favorable disposition, one must not miss the opportunity to have him render a verdict that will also serve as a precedent for other places.

You apologize for writing to me. It is self-evident that there is no reason to do so. I hope that you will write to me for many more years. And may Hashem grant that the content of your letters, regarding your communal accomplishments and your personal concerns, be joyful. Among your communal achievements, there will be not only accomplishments for Judaism in general but also for Chassidic conduct.

The Alter Rebbe*, founder of Chabad* Chassidus*, emphasized that Chassidus* is not addressed solely to Chabad* or to a part of the Jewish people. It concerns all Jews at once. And you know the saying (see letter 4769) that one should not put off until tomorrow what can be accomplished today.

However, some still need to have its positive aspect explained to them. I hope that the one who will assume this mission in the region of Mt. Clemens will be Rav Baruch Litvin. You write to me that, in any case, you do not see eye to eye with certain great ones of Israel. You will therefore not be affected if a few people who consider themselves great do not accept your spreading of Chassidus*. And the reward is commensurate with the effort.