An explanation of the Previous Rebbe's campaign that every member of Machne Israel should report four positive deeds that he performed that month

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The relationship between the directorate of Machne Israel and its members

No. 34

The following letter was written to Reb Moshe Dultzin, a former student of the Lubavitcher Yeshivah, Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, who had taken up a participatory role in the Jewish community of Mexico City.

B"H, 25 Cheshvan, 5703

Greetings and blessings,

As a tomim who shows interest and participates in the activities of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, I am certain that you are interested in hearing of the activities of the two vital institutions, Machne Israel and Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, of which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, serves as the head.

The activities of Machne Israel have been described in HaKeriah VehaKedushah, the monthly journal published by Agudas Chabad, and also by the Morgen Journal (see the accompanying extract). With thanks to G-d, the activities of Machne Israel have spread, as has the membership. People from all sectors of the observant community have joined, without any factional distinction. [And we have seen a proliferation of] societies for [the recitation of] Tehillim (Psalms), the study of Mishnayos by heart, and the like.

The activities of Machne Israel are directed primarily to adults. Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, in contrast, directs its efforts primarily toward Jewish boys and girls, aiming to strengthen their [Jewish] education [on the basis of our tradition] of purity and holiness.

There are many different facets to the activities of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, [among them]:

1. establishing societies that arrange Mesibos Shabbos (Shabbos parties), (a booklet enumerating these activities has been sent to you);

2. establishing schools for Jewish girls;

3. organizing evening classes [to train] Orthodox teachers and educators;

4. printing reading material for Jewish youth and children; in particular, the monthly publication Talks and Tales (in Yiddish and in English). We have now completed the first year of publication, printing 24 issues[1] which have already won over the hearts of the youth, their teachers, and their parents.

It is superfluous to say that, with G-d's help, these efforts have borne fruit, strengthening [the observance of] the Torah and of Yiddishkeit, raising a new generation, a righteous generation, one which will bring honor and glory to our ancestor Yisrael.

It is well known that "The steps of man are ordered by G-d."[2] As such, all the temimim, wherever they are found, have been granted the unique task of generating light in the dwellings of the Jews living in their surroundings.

This is particularly true at present, in these days of ikvesa deMeshicha, when Mashiach's approaching footsteps can be heard. The temimim and [indeed all] chassidim share a twofold, and indeed a manifold, obligation to fulfill the mitzvah of "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[3] and encourage others to perform good deeds.

I am certain that you are taking an active role in all these projects and have joined in shouldering the holy mission which unites all the temimim throughout all four corners of the world. I will be happy to hear a response from you describing your activities. From our side, we will gladly help by supplying you with a variety of source material, [provided] you undertake to do your utmost in these matters.

With blessings and wishes of friendship, and with blessings for the fulfillment of the promise "Immediately to teshuvah, immediately to Redemption."

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Chairman of the Executive Committee of Machne Israel and Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) [I.e., twelve in Yiddish and twelve in English.]

2. (Back to text) [Tehillim 37:23.]

3. (Back to text) [Vayikra 19:18.]

An explanation of the Previous Rebbe's campaign that every member of Machne Israel should report four positive deeds that he performed that month

Table of contents

Search this book:

The relationship between the directorate of Machne Israel and its members