Igrot Kodesh · Letter 558 — First Letter After the Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz
Volume 3 · Letter 156
By the grace of Hashem,
18 Shevat 5710[1],
My father-in-law, the Rebbe[2], mentions in one of his letters[3] the passing of his father. He writes that the righteous protect the earth. Thus, even after having departed this world, 'they do not abandon their flock and, what is more, they present themselves before the heavenly throne, address the Most High and ask Him to protect the people of Israel.'
It is clear that this applies equally to my father-in-law, the Rebbe.
For our part, we must maintain and strengthen our attachment to him, with ever greater force and vigor. For this purpose, we must study his discourses, his talks, his letters, meditate deeply on the teachings they contain and on the personal instructions one may have received from him.
In this way, 'we shall follow the righteous path that is his and adopt his practices for eternity'[4].
Menachem Schneerson,
Notes
[1] This letter is the first that the Rebbe wrote after the passing of his father-in-law, which occurred on 10 Shevat 5710. It is the foreword to a fascicle of talks by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, published at the conclusion of the seven days of mourning.
[2] In accordance with Halachah*, the Rebbe follows the mention of his father-in-law's name with mourning expressions.
[3] See letter no. 548.
[4] Words cited from a letter of the Previous Rebbe.