Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6944 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

21 Tammuz* 5719,

Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I am responding to your letter, in which you tell me about the Chassidic* farbrengen* and the idea that came to you, according to which: "Three times a year..." (note 1: Everyone is obligated to go up to the Temple on the three festivals — Pesach*, Sukkos*, and Shavuos*. The recipient of this letter therefore had the idea that one should visit the Rebbe). It is quite evident that there is no need to apologize for this. See to it, therefore, that what you write and what came to your mind effectively applies to your conduct. And you know the teaching of our holy masters, whose merit protects us, according to which such an approach (note 2: Consisting of introducing a personal explanation) is justified when it strengthens the fear of Hashem and reinforces the practice of the mitzvos* in the proper manner.

This also includes conducting one's action in a benevolent way. The Torah* mandates that this be so, since it is said: "Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace." You will therefore use this to influence your surroundings, to draw others closer to the Torah* and the mitzvos* with love of one's fellow, as well as with Chassidic* warmth. All this is expected of us and, in particular, of the residents of Kfar Chabad*. It is therefore certain that one possesses the necessary strength to accomplish this, around oneself and within oneself. This is self-evident. You surely take part in the public study sessions, in addition to the well-known studies of Chumash*, Tehillim*, and Tanya*. And you also participate in the work of spreading the wellsprings (note 3: Of Chassidus*), to the full extent of what is appropriate. With my blessing to give good tidings of all this,