An explanation of several concepts in Chassidus

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The importance of Jewish education for girls

No. 332

This letter was addressed to Mr. Tzvi Eliezer HaLevi Kruezhar, an active philanthropist at that time.

B"H, 7 Adar I, 5708

Greetings and blessings,

I would like to take this opportunity to convey heartfelt thanks on behalf of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch for your admirable pledge of support and assistance in the publication of the series of texts and the [halachic] encyclopedia that is referred to as S'dei Chemed that was authored by R. Chayim Chizkiyahu Medini.[306]

At the same time, we would like to acknowledge your important donation, the first installment of your pledge for this undertaking. Enclosed is an official receipt.

This encyclopedia, for which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, chose to give you the everlasting merit of bringing merit to people at large [through its publication] is a very important encyclopedia which contains the halachic rulings that govern the life of a Jew, an individual as well as [our] people at large, according to the Acharonim[307] and the later Acharonim.

This text was already out of print before the last war. It was reprinted in Poland in 5699-5700 (1939). But together with the millions of holy martyrs slain by the murderers, this text was also destroyed. This increases the importance of renewing and reprinting this great treasure.

During these weeks, we are reading the Torah portions that describe the construction of the Sanctuary which was later replaced by the Beis HaMikdash. The enemies of the Jewish people destroyed the Beis HaMikdash, but they had dominion only over the wood and the stones, i.e., of the material dimension [of the Beis HaMikdash]. Our enemies have no control over its spiritual holiness.

The same applies with regard to the millions of Jewish lives who sanctified G-d's name [in martyrdom] and the holy texts that were destroyed. It is only the bodies and the paper that are destroyed. The souls and the spirit of the texts are everlasting.

Nevertheless, just as a body cannot exist without a soul, the purpose of this world is not a soul without a body. Through educating a new generation in the spirit of our pure and holy martyrs, and through republishing and disseminating the spirit of the holy texts, we again connect this eternal spirituality with physical bodies and means of expression.

For this reason, one cannot fathom the great merit you have generated by giving us the potential to reprint and disseminate this important [halachic] encyclopedia. One cannot fathom the merit of the holy martyrs, R. Eliezer, the son of R. Nota, and Ita, the daughter of Michal, the parents of your worthy wife, Sasha, who sacrificed their lives for the sanctification of G-d's name.

May the merit of this endeavor stand you and your wife in good stead with regard to both spiritual and material matters. May your journey be successful and may the blessings which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, bestowed upon you be fulfilled.

With wishes for everlasting good in all matters,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Chairman of the Executive Committee

   

Notes:

306. (Back to text) [The actual printing of the text was delayed until 5712 (1952).]

307. (Back to text) [The scholars of the later generations.]

An explanation of several concepts in Chassidus

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The importance of Jewish education for girls