Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9214
Volume 24 · Letter 184 · 20 Elloul 5726 · To: d’une synagogue du Kfar. Vous avez donc sûrement entendu le dicton de mon beau-pè
By the grace of Hashem*,
20th of Elul* 5726,
Brooklyn,
I greet you and bless you,
I am writing in response to your letter of 17 Elul*, in which you tell me about the question you posed to several people in Kfar Chabad* and the response you received from them. Hashem* grants His Providence to each individual and will therefore guide you toward what is good for you, from all points of view.
You write to me that you are the beadle* of a synagogue in the village. You have therefore surely heard the saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*[1], regarding the important role entrusted to a beadle*, a Shamash*. Citing the expression[2]: "He called to the sun (Shemesh*) and it shone with light," he said: "Do not read Shemesh* but Shamash*," meaning that the beadle* must cause the synagogue to shine with a true brightness. In simple terms, he must make it luminous, as the Shulchan Aruch*[3] emphasizes, which specifies that a synagogue must be well-lit, but also physically clean, in the appropriate manner. Spiritually, this means that the organization of the synagogue must be scrupulously maintained, that there must always be prayer books, Tehilim*, and Chumash* available.
In this way, you will understand what[4] your role should be, so that you may fully fulfill these functions throughout the year, and in particular during the days preceding the month of Tishrei*, the days of Teshuvah*, and the month of Tishrei* itself. As various texts establish[5], this is indeed the seventh month, filled with festivals and auspicious days. Therefore, the responsibility[4] of the beadle* is multiplied tenfold[4]. I hope that you will fulfill it in the manner just described, with joy and enthusiasm. And "one is aided in his desire to purify himself"[6]. With my blessing for good news, and also to be inscribed and sealed for a good year,
On behalf of the Rebbe* Shlita*,
the secretary,
Notes
[1] See, in this regard, letters nos. 6767 and 8046.
[2] From the Shacharit* prayer of Shabbat*.
[3] Orach Chaim*, chapter 151, paragraph 9.
[4] The Rebbe underlines the words: "what," "responsibility," and "multiplied tenfold."
[5] See, notably, Midrash Vayikra Rabbah*, chapter 29, paragraph 8 and the beginning of Sefer HaMaamarim* 5710.
[6] According to tractate Yoma* 38b.