The importance of the Previous Rebbe's Memoirs

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Personal directives to a chassid

No. 323

This letter was addressed to R. Eliezer Karasik, one of the active members of the Lubavitch community in Eretz Yisrael.

B"H, the yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe, [24 Teves], 5708

Greetings and blessings,

We received your letter. As is obvious, in times like these,[269] it is appropriate that you send more frequent letters to your brother-in-law and nephew informing them of your well-being. In that way, the information will also reach us.

It is amazing that throughout this time, neither you, nor your brother-in-law, R. Moshe Gurary, informed us of your decision to publish the texts of our Rebbeim. Perhaps the financial situation was a cause for this. Possibly, now is a time when it is definitely advantageous to make a resolution to accomplish this goal.[270]

The texts that you ordered were sent to you. Certainly you will advise us of your receipt of them as soon as they arrive.

The conclusion of the Torah scroll to greet Mashiach has not been made as of yet.

Enclosed is a kuntreis from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita. Certainly you will make it available to people at large.

To conclude with matters relevant to the present day: Our Sages (Megillah 13a) describe Teves as a month when "the body derives pleasure from the body." It is well known that Esther refers to the Jewish people and the Midrash (quoted in the maamar entitled BaLailah Hahu, 5700) states: "Achashverush -- this refers to the Holy One, blessed be He."

On this basis, it is possible to interpret the word guf, [literally meaning "body,"] as "fundamental being," "essence," as in the expressions employed by our Sages, gufei Torah, "the substance of the Torah," and gufa, "the matter itself" (see the beginning of Likkutei Torah LeGimmel Parshiyos). [In this context, our Sages' statement can be interpreted as meaning that] G-d's essence derives satisfaction from the body, i.e., our Divine service concerning the body and involving the body, as will be revealed to us as well in the ultimate Future [when] the soul will derive [its vitality] from the body.

In his interpretation of the verse:[271] "When you see the donkey of your enemy" (quoted in HaYom Yom, p. 23), the Baal Shem Tov reveals that [the process of refinement of the body] should involve satisfaction. The Alter Rebbe delved deeply into the teachings of Chassidus in order to invest vitality in all things (the response of the Tzemach Tzedek, as cited in HaYom Yom, entry Teves 24). Even the brain in the body, Chabad, which [is characterized by] coldness and lack of sensitivity (see Rashi, Megillah, loc. cit., [which speaks of the satisfaction from the body, coming] "because of the cold") will be transformed to the extent that it becomes excited because of its comprehension of G-dliness (see Kuntreis Toras HaChassidus, ch. 4).

With wishes for everlasting good in all matters,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

269. (Back to text) [This was a period of upheaval in Eretz Yisrael.]

270. (Back to text) [See Letter 262.]

271. (Back to text) [Shmos 23:5.]

The importance of the Previous Rebbe's Memoirs

Table of contents

Search this book:

Personal directives to a chassid