Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9642

By the grace of Hashem, on the eve of the holy Shabbat* Parshat Bo* (5729) — "Come to Pharaoh" — Brooklyn, New York.

I greet you and bless you.

I have duly received your letter[3]. We are a few days away from the tenth of Shevat*, the Hilula* of my father-in-law, the Rabbi*, and relying on the affirmation of our Sages[4] that one should hasten — developing one's commitment to the straight path he taught us through his conduct and that we should walk in his ways[5] through concrete action — in the three domains, the three directions[6] upon which the world stands[7], including the "small world"[8] that is man[9]: namely Torah*, divine service through prayer[10], and good deeds.

This also includes Teshuvah*, through which deeds become good and luminous[11]. In the words of the Rambam*[12], it is through Teshuvah* that the Mitzvot* a person performs are accepted with pleasure and joy; moreover, our Sages require[13] that one pass "all one's days in the higher Teshuvah*"[14], liberating one's divine soul from exile and elevating it toward the house of its Father throughout one's physical life in this world, including it within oneself, unifying it with oneself, and placing all one's desire and ardor in Torah* and Mitzvot*.

For the good deeds one performs bring about the return of the soul — which is a portion of Divinity — toward the source and origin of all worlds[15]. So it is with divine service[16], with heavenly concerns, as well as with those of this world.

Regarding our leader[17], whose Hilula* we celebrate, it has been said that this day is propitious for attaching oneself to the Tree of Life[18], for obtaining children, health, and material prosperity[19]. With my blessing for success, as well as for fruitful Chassidic* gatherings in the domains of Torah*, divine service, and good deeds, ever advancing and adding[20].

M. Schneerson

P.S. I have just received[21] your letter of the 7th of Shevat*, the notes attached to it, and the requests for blessing, which will be read, at an auspicious moment, near the holy tomb[22].

Notes

(1) The Rabbi notes in the margin: "This day is linked to Teshuvah*, as indicated in Iggeret HaTeshuvah*, at the end of chapter 10."
(2) The Rabbi notes in the margin: "It was then, in 5710, that my father-in-law, the Rabbi*, departed this world."
(3) This letter was addressed to several people. See Likkutei Sichot*, vol. 11, p. 237, and Kerem Chabad*, no. 23, Shevat 5730.
(4) The Rabbi notes in the margin: "According to Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah*, ch. 7, §7, as well as tractate Makkot* 23a." See, in this connection, letter no. 43.
(5) The Rabbi notes: "Iggeret HaKodesh*, ch. 27. See the Zohar*, vol. 2, p. 215a, and vol. 3, Parshat Kedoshim*, as well as Likkutei Torah*, Shir HaShirim*, p. 12b."
(6) The Rabbi notes: "One may think that these three domains correspond to 'faith, fear, and love,' terms mentioned in Iggeret HaKodesh* at the above reference with its commentary. This explains the order in which these terms are presented."
(7) The Rabbi notes: "According to tractate Avot*, ch. 1, Mishnah* 2. See Likkutei Torah*, Parshat Shelach*, p. 49b, and the Chassidic discourse entitled: 'On three pillars,' of 5700," in Sefer HaMaamarim 5700*, from p. 160.
(8) The Rabbi notes: "According to the first explanation of the Pricha* at the beginning of the Tur*, Choshen Mishpat*. Indeed, the Mishnah* refers, above all, to man."
(9) The Rabbi notes: "According to Midrash Tanchuma*, Parshat Pekudei*, ch. 3."
(10) The Rabbi notes: "Indeed, prayer was instituted to replace the sacrifices, according to tractate Berakhot* 26b. However, one can, to a certain extent, question this, considering tractate Taanit* 27b, which speaks of the sacrifices — in which case one speaks indeed of divine service, according to tractate Taanit* 2a, the Rambam* at the beginning of the laws of prayer, and in the Sefer HaMitzvot*, Commandment no. 5, and Rabbenu Yonah* at that same reference in tractate Avot*."
(11) The Rabbi notes: "According to Likkutei Torah*, Shemini Atzeret*, p. 85a, and Shir HaShirim*, p. 17c."
(12) The Rabbi notes: "In his laws of Teshuvah*, ch. 7, §7."
(13) The Rabbi notes: "In tractate Shabbat* 153a."
(14) The Rabbi notes: "See Iggeret HaTeshuvah*…" [related to Teshuvah* that allows return to the source, liberation from exile and limitations].
(19) The Rabbi notes: "These three domains correspond to Daat*, Chokhmah*, and Binah*, according to Meori Or*, vol. 2, ch. 67, cited and commented upon by the Biyurei HaZohar* of the Tzemach Tzedek*, Parshat Vayeira (vol. 1, p. 44). See the Yair Nativ* at that reference of Meori Or*, which raises an objection from the Likkutei Torah* of Ari Zal* at Parshat Toledot* and his Likkutei HaShass*, tractate Berakhot*."
(20) The Rabbi notes: "See Iggeret HaKodesh*, end of ch. 27."
(21) This paragraph was added to the copy addressed to Rav Nissan Nemanov*, director of the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch*.

ט'תרמב

ב"ה , ערב ש"ק פ' בא אל פרעה, ה'תשכ"ט

ברוקלין, נ.י.

שלום וברכה!

מאשר הנני קבלת המכתב . . .

ובעמדנו ימים ספורים לפני יום העשירי בשבט, יום ההילולא של כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר ונשען על מחז"ל אין מזרזין אלא המזורזין,

הנני לעורר ע"ד התחזקות והוספה בהליכה בדרך ישרה אשר הורנו מדרכיו ונלכה באורחותיו

במעשה בפועל בשלשת הדברים (הקווין) שעליהם העולם עומד – כולל העולם קטן זה האדם – תורה ועבודה (תפלה) וגמ"ח,

ביחד עם התשובה – שאז המעשים טובים ומאירים,

ובלשון הרמב"ם שאז מקבלין אותן (המצות שעושה) בנחת ושמחה כו' ולא עוד אלא שמתאוים להם,

שגם התשובה צ"ל בכאו"א וכמחז"ל להיות כל ימיו בתשובה (עילאה), להוציא ולהעלות נפשו האלקית מגלותה להשיבה אל בית אבי' (כל ימיו בחיים חיתו בעוה"ז) שתהא כלולה ומיוחדת בו ית' ע"י שישים כל מגמתו וחפצו בתורה ומצות,

כי המעש"ט שעושה משיבין (נפשו שהיא) חלק ה' למקורא ושרשא דכל עלמין,

זאת בעבודת ה' במילי דשמיא ובמילי דעלמא ידועים דברי נשיאנו בעל ההילולא אשר מסוגל הוא היום הזה להתקשר בעץ החיים כו' להושע בבני חיי ומזוני רויחי.

בברכת הצלחה ולהתועדויות פעילות בתורה ועבודה וגמ"ח ובאופן דגדל והולך,

מ. שניאורסאהן

***

נ.ב. ז"ע נתקבל המכתב מז' שבט והרשימות המצו"ב והפ"נ, ויקראו בעת רצון עה"צ הק'.

***

מאשר הנני הפ"ש שע"י הנוסעים שי' . . .

בברכה לבריאות ולבשו"ט בתוכן מכתבַי.

***

מאשר הנני קבלת המכתב מיום י"ב טבת והפר"כ והקודמיו והמצו"ב . . .

ז"ע נתקבלו המכ' שלאחרי הנ"ל.

האוירון (דפורים) – אין כדאי בשנה זו . . .

נ.ב. ועד מיוחד למבצע תפילין וכן טופס (בלאַנק) למכתבים מיוחד לועד זה יש לעשות. על הבלאַנק להזכיר שם צאגו"ח, לא להזכיר שמות אישים (והטעם מובן).

***

מאשר הנני קבלת המכתבים והתמונות (ות"ח) והמצו"ב . . .

הפ"נ יקראו עה"צ.

בנוגע לשידוך לבנם שי' – אינם מוגבלים לאהקת"ו או לחו"ל. וה' הוא היודע.