Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5093 — Chinuch

B"H

Rosh Chodesh* Shevat* 5717

Brooklyn, New York

To the attention of Mr. Chaim*,

who is called Dr. Shashkes,

Greetings and blessings,

I have duly received your two books, "Unknown Lands" (see note 1) and "Your World and Mine" (see note 2). I thank you for them. I hope that in due time you will also send me your other works. I am grateful to you for this consideration.

On this occasion, I would like to express my satisfaction at having made your acquaintance and having exchanged a few words with you. According to a well-known saying (see note 3), when two Jews meet, good should result not only for themselves but also for a third Jew. I therefore have good hope that this will be the case here. Moreover, you travel around the world, and one may therefore express the wish that this good extend to a great number of our brethren, the children of Israel, in different parts of the globe.

I would like to refer to the famous statement of our Sages that "the Holy One, blessed be He, performed a kindness for Israel by dispersing them," which clearly means that the purpose of a Jew, individually or collectively, is not limited to acting on his own behalf. He must, in addition, show his benevolence to others, until achieving the ultimate objective and "transforming the world through the sovereignty of the Almighty," which will be realized when "I will transform all the nations with a clear language, to serve Him with one accord."

Such is also the profound reason for the exile, which does not merely serve to atone for transgressions, as it is stated: "Because of our transgressions..." (see note 4), but which, moreover, contains a positive dimension, as does every divine act. It enables one to do good for oneself and for one's surroundings. Being at the site of his mission, a Jew can be more effective than if he were distant.

In fact, it is difficult to imagine what a single Jew can accomplish in his surroundings, in the entire city, and even throughout the country. And one need not remain long in a place to carry out the divine mission there (see note 5). Very often, a single moment suffices, provided that one puts forward Jewish warmth and Jewish light — which is one of the fundamental principles of Chassidus*.

I therefore express the wish that your travels, whatever their stated purpose, be an application of all this. A Jew, wherever he finds himself, wherever he arrives, must illuminate his surroundings, ensure that spirit prevails over matter, in the manner defined by our holy Torah.

And if one sincerely wishes to achieve such an objective, Divine Providence grants the means and the opportunities in life — where one is and where one goes.

With my respects and my blessing,

Notes

(1) Original title in Yiddish, as is the entirety of this letter.

(2) Original title in English.

(3) See, on this subject, letter no. 4384.

(4) "We were exiled from our land," from the liturgy of the Mussaf* prayer.

(5) This letter is addressed to someone who travels extensively.