Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8972 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

Tiferes* (note 1: That is, 2 Iyar*.) of Tiferes* (note 2: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See the Sefer HaToldos Admur Maharash*, pp. 6 and 7, as well as the sequence of Chassidic* discourses entitled: 'The many waters,' of 5636, from chapter 104 onward.") 5725,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the attention of all the participants at the general

Chassidic* gathering, among friends, on the occasion of the

tenth anniversary of the founding of the youth of

the Chabad* association, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

The talk of my father-in-law, the Rebbe* (note 4: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Of 19 Kislev* 5699, reproduced, based on the notes of one of those present, in a concise manner, regarding this point.") is known (note 3: See Likkutei Sichos*, vol. 23, p. 435.), according to which it is an error to think that only a Rebbe*, a Great One of Israel, is able to do good for the entire Jewish people (note 5: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "It is not known to what extent the formulation is precise, for the text of this talk was not reviewed by the Rebbe*."). In reality, every Jew can achieve this through his prayer and his supplication (note 6: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See the Torah Or*, addenda, p. 103a and the Or HaTorah*, Bereishis, vol. 1, in the addenda."). Hashem, blessed be He, will take into account our poverty, He will hear our complaint, He will answer our prayer and He will grant a universal salvation to the entire Jewish people, materially and spiritually. Indeed, we presently have a conduct that transcends nature, as one can verify and, in our days, "the weak says: I am strong" (note 7: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Yoel* 4:10. And, the present period is described by the verse 4:1: It is at this time that I will bring back the captivity of Yehudah and of Yerushalayim*.").

It is as if one were now preparing to climb a mountain, a high mount, until reaching the four cubits (note 8: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "In fact, these are considered as the domain of man, according to the Maor L'Shabbos*, p. 96b, as his place, according to Tractate* Eruvin* 48a. And, one should consult the Toras Chaim*, Shemos, of the Admur HaEmtzai*, at the end of the Chassidic* discourse entitled: 'And you shall make two cherubim,' p. 463a-b.") of its summit. It is precisely at this moment that one must gather all one's strength in order to reach the goal, for there remain only four cubits to traverse. From then on, every blade of grass that one discovers, every twig, every pebble that one can grasp by hand, on which one leans one's foot or body, becomes particularly precious. The light that illuminates, at this moment, is indispensable. When it shines, the clarity that one perceives is beneficent and it is thanks to it that one sustains oneself.

The image of the ascent of a mountain is found in Chassidus* (note 9: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Notably in the Chassidic* discourse entitled: 'Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi said: three hundred and ten worlds,' of 5698."), which speaks of two men, one at the summit of the mountain and the other at its foot. It underscores that the one at the bottom must have strength to climb, know the paths, wear adapted garments so as not to stumble (note 10: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "He must be strong in his soul, possess the love and fear of Hashem which are the two wings enabling his elevation, strong in his body, having transformed and refined his animal soul, know the ways of the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, the paths of the service of Hashem. The garments of his soul, his thoughts, his words and his actions, must be positive, as the Chassidic* discourse of Parshas* Nasso 5673 explains. One should also consult that of Parshas* Vayeishev 5675." The discourse of Parshas* Nasso 5673 is found in the Sefer HaMaamarim* 5672-5676, p. 260.). However, if he does not possess all of this, he must then give of his own person. In such a case, every object to which he can cling, every light that illuminates him has great value.

In this period, we find ourselves near the summit of the mountain. Indeed, one can observe that the coming of Moshiach* is near, that he is found behind the wall (note 11: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Shir HaShirim* 2:9, which then says: 'He watches,' which explains the continuation of the talk: 'hears his voice and sees him.' One should see the Zohar*, vol. 3, p. 114b, the Or HaTorah*, at the same reference, which says: 'behind our wall: if the eye were permitted to see...'"). The man who has a keen ear hears his voice and sees him. It suffices to traverse the short distance that remains. For this, one must accord value to all that is precious, one must have the light that illuminates, that is, the Torah* and its dissemination. One must personally study the Torah* and propagate it. For, it is before the light of day (note 12: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "One should consult Tractate* Berachos* 62b.") that sleep is deepest. An effort is then necessary so as not to sink into torpor. Thanks to it, one becomes a vessel, capable of capturing the light of day. Every Jew is obligated to be aware of this and, when he meets another Jew, he must say to him: "Listen, my brother, do not sleep while the day is breaking!"

* * *

The youth of the Chabad* association have now existed for ten years, which is the perfection of the number and its content (note 13: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See the Pardes*, at the second gate."). May Hashem therefore grant that each person and all together motivate themselves, with all their ten inner faculties (note 14: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Tanya*, chapter 3. See the Likkutei Torah*, Vayikra, p. 4b."), in order to act, for the true good of oneself and of one's fellow. This action will be profound and complete, since this year is itself (note 15: It possesses a second month of Adar* and the greatest number of days.) complete (note 16: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See Tractate* Arachin* 31a and the Tzemach Tzedek* on Tehillim* 19:8, paragraph 4.") and entire (note 17: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See the Rambam*, Laws of the Sanctification of the New Month, chapter 8, paragraph 6.").

It will be so thanks to the effort emanating from the faculties that surround the soul, from faith, in particular when it reveals itself in the most powerful way, as was the case at the Exodus from Egypt and the acceptance of the yoke of the Heavenly Kingship (note 18: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Chassidic* discourse entitled: 'You all stand,' of 5675."). Thus, the inner faculties and their manifestations are present, firm and brilliant (note 19: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See Midrash* Tanchuma*, Parshas* Nitzavim."). With my blessing of success in all that has just been said and to give me good tidings of all this,

M. Schneerson,