Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8827 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

25 Iyar* 5724,

Brooklyn, New York,

I bless you and greet you,

I took note of your letter with much astonishment and pain (note 1: This letter is addressed to a woman. See the Likkutei Sichos*, volume 32, at page 257). Indeed, you begin by praising Hashem because you intend to travel to Eretz Yisrael* on a ship whose owners are Jewish, which may Hashem prevent (note 2: See, on this subject, letter no. 8731). The captain, the sailors, the entire crew on duty are Jewish, or are so at 99% and you write to me that you formulate the wish to have a good voyage, by the merit of our holy ancestors! I think it is unnecessary to explain to you the reason for my great pain. However, the content of your letter leads me to address to you at least these few lines, although everything that one could say on the subject would by no means be sufficient, given the gravity of the issue. The idea is briefly the following.

During a voyage on such a ship, every passenger and, of course, every member of the crew transgresses Shabbos*. Moreover, he does so publicly and he takes part in a public desecration of the Name of Hashem, before all the non-Jews who have knowledge of it. Furthermore, this is accomplished in the name of the entire Jewish people, whose failings, on various occasions, have resulted in the behavior and the functioning of such a ship during Shabbos*. One must add that it is rarely given to transgress the holy Shabbos* publicly, during every instant (note 3: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "every instant," "holy," "holy Shabbos," "in addition," "keep the day of Shabbos to sanctify it," "not," "Who sanctifies the Shabbos," "specifically for other Jews," "each one," "all," "quite evident," "I will reimburse," "quite clear" and "You shall keep My Shabbosos") of its twenty-four hours, including during sleep! Indeed, the ship advances also when one sleeps, whereas being on dry land, whatever the way of life one has adopted, one does not transgress Shabbos* publicly while one sleeps!

What has just been said is true regardless of the direction taken by the ship and the date of its departure, as long as the voyage includes the twenty-four hours of Shabbos*. But, in this case, there is the additional fact that one desires to travel to a country that the non-Jews themselves describe as "the Holy Land" (note 3), not because such is the position of the United Nations, but indeed based on what our holy Torah* says, which establishes a specific connection between Eretz Yisrael* and the observance of Shabbos*, as several Sidros* specify, in particular the one that we will read, by an effect of Divine Providence, this holy Shabbos* (note 3). What has just been said is, unfortunately, a true disaster. Nevertheless, the voyage to which you allude presents yet another negative aspect. In addition (note 3) to the two or three Shabbosos* that will unfortunately be transgressed in public, according to what has just been said, there will also be the public transgression of the two days of Shavuos*, the festival of the giving of the Ten Commandments, revealed with the greatest power, as the Midrash* relates. Now, one of these Ten Commandments is: "Keep the day of Shabbos* to sanctify it" (note 3). However, we live in an era in which all sorts of incredible things take place. An event like the one just described can therefore occur without anyone saying anything.

Of course, I know that certain ones have taken on a responsibility, not knowing (note 3) themselves how one operates a ship, but considering themselves nevertheless to be great experts in the matter and they have authorized this public transgression of Shabbos*, in the name of the entire people of Yisrael*. Moreover, from what is recounted, there is, on this ship, during Shabbos*, a Jew wearing a Tallis* and praying to Hashem Who sanctifies the Shabbos* (note 3), knowing that at that very moment, the engines are running and operated by Jews, telegrams are written, communiques are issued, one cooks, one washes and all of this is carried out by Jews, specifically for other Jews (note 3)! Now, each one (note 3) of the passengers benefits from it, as well as from the electricity, the water, all (note 3) the needs that are satisfied by transgressing Shabbos*!

It is equally evident that our holy Torah* is not modified for all that, for it is immutable and Hashem gave it to the Jewish people. It therefore cannot change. Our Sages, whose memory is a blessing, affirm that a Jew never has the right to become discouraged. I therefore do not lose hope that you yourself and very many other Jews will not transgress Shabbos* and the festival publicly, that you will cancel this voyage. Great is the merit of Shabbos* which will bring you long days, good years and, above all, the most essential point, a true satisfaction, Jewish, emanating from the Torah*, from all your children and your grandchildren. With my blessing to give me good news of all that has just been said,

If such a late cancellation of this voyage entails a financial loss, it is quite evident (note 3) that I will reimburse (note 3) you this sum in its entirety, given the gravity of the prohibition that is thus transgressed in public and I will even warmly thank you for this occasion that will thus be offered to me to save a Jewish soul from such a misfortune. Moreover, one will avoid, in this way, that certain ones could say to themselves that, if you participate in this voyage, there is no doubt that it is permitted. Perhaps, in this way, they will not make this voyage. And, one knows that saving a single Jew is compared to saving the entire world (note 4: According to tractate Sanhedrin* 37a).

You enclose with your letter a check for Tzedakah*, on the occasion of your voyage. It is the first time in my life, and I hope that I will not have to do it again, that I must return such a check. Indeed, it is quite clear (note 3) that I cannot enter into a relationship with what leads to a public transgression of Shabbos*. Moreover, you formulate the wish that this Tzedakah* come to the aid of this transgression of Shabbos*, which may Hashem prevent! The check is therefore returned to you herewith. I hope that you will accept what I tell you, in conformity with the Sidra* of this week, which says: "You shall keep My Shabbosos* (note 3), I am Hashem."

ב״ה ,כ״ה אייר ,תשכ״ד

ברוקלין ,נ.י.

ברכה ושלום!