Details concerning caring for a certain chassid's relatives in post-war Europe

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Gratitude for efforts to obtain an immigration visa for the Rebbe's mother

No. 269

This letter is addressed to the members of the chassidic brotherhood in Paris.

B"H, 4 Tammuz, 5707

Greetings and blessings,

Thank G-d, we arrived here in peace. I immediately sent a telegram [informing you of this] to the address on Rue Ives Karmes, but to my wonderment, the telegram was returned with a note saying that there was no such street in your community.

1. As is obvious, I conveyed greetings to my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, and also [presented the funds] for maamad.[161] It is, however, over a week that we are waiting to receive a list and a letter notifying us concerning the committee and its positive activities. And as of yet, we have heard nothing! If this is what happens at the beginning of a project, what will happen when the matter is already old news? I have strong trust that you will not delay your letter and will inform us of your activities until the present time, including the expansion of the committee beyond the limits of the Lubavitch community, as we spoke before I departed. (This is of fundamental importance, both in a material sense and in a spiritual sense.)

   Included within is a letter concerning maamad.

2. [Also] included is the text of the questionnaire for having letters for the Torah scroll to greet Mashiach written on one's behalf. All of those who desire to participate in this [project] and the members of their households should draw up a general list [of names] while responding to all the questions and listing the sum with which they are participating. (As I already informed you, [the money donated is] only so that everyone will have a share in the expenses. A person who desires to give [additional] funds should, in my opinion, increase his donation to the maamad fund.) We will inform you afterwards which letters were assigned to each person.

3. [Also] included is the text of [the charter] to join the Society for Studying Mishnayos by Heart, together with some relevant letters. If a list of those who desire to participate is prepared, they will be included in the lottery and they will be informed of the Mishnayos designated for them.[162]

   Rabbi Friedman from the shul at No. 25 asked that the members of his shul also be included in this society. Certainly, you will ask him about the matter now and rouse others to spread this project.

4. [Also] included is the text of [a charter] to found or increase a Society for the Recitation of Psalms. Those who wish to join should inform us of their names, etc., as stated in the text.

   In the (second) collection of letters from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, there are several letters from him concerning G. and D. We are sending them now under separate cover.

5. A package containing our publications was sent to you. Please send to Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch a list [of the texts] that I gave you before I left. Thus we will know what to send as early [as possible].

With regard to all of the above, you can write to each of the relevant institutions individually or to me. What is most important is that the matters will proceed from potential to actual fact. And as the Alter Rebbe explains ([Tanya,] Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 21), zerizus, eagerness, is extremely necessary in this.

In Iggeres HaKodesh, loc. cit., the Alter Rebbe uses the expression "in this world" twice. It is possible to explain that he is alluding to the effect and the advantage of tzedakah, that it draws down light and influence to our material world, as stated in Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 3, et al. Based on the above, we can also appreciate the conclusion of the Epistle: "for a person is judged each day."[163] This also relates to the mitzvah of tzedakah. For as explained in Ateres Rosh (Rosh HaShanah), Chanoch LaNaar (at the conclusion), and Kuntreis U'Maayon, Maamar 19ff., a person being judged every day relates to [the question of whether or not] the influence [for him] will be drawn down to this world.

[The dispatch of my] letter was delayed until Monday. Your letter was just received with the list of people participating in maamad.

[I conclude,] waiting for a letter with good news.

   

Notes:

161. (Back to text) [Funds donated to the Rebbe by chassidim to use at his own discretion.]

162. (Back to text) [The entire Mishnah was divided by lot among those who volunteered to participate. Each person was given several mishnayos to study by heart and repeat in his free time, while traveling, and the like.]

163. (Back to text) [Rosh HaShanah 16a.]

Details concerning caring for a certain chassid's relatives in post-war Europe

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Gratitude for efforts to obtain an immigration visa for the Rebbe's mother