The conduct of Eldad and Meidad

Table of contents

Search this book:

Directives to the Lubavitch community in France, particularly with regard to maamad

No. 337

This letter was sent to a chassid whose name was withheld.

B"H, 21 Adar I, 5708

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your letter of the tenth of this month:

a) With regard to working in..., you give four reasons why you should not work there despite [the fact that you received a] letter [from] my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, [advising you to do so. You write] that:

1. the elder chassidim told you that [the Rebbe's] intent is that [the matter] is dependent on your own will,

2. you feel no vitality in [that work],

3. the work is no longer so important, because it is not developing further, and

4. others are also not involved in these activities.

[Accordingly,] you ask my opinion about the matter.

I now saw a copy of the letter from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, to you.... I do not see any doubt as to the task he charged you with and in which he blessed you with success.

With regard to the lack of vitality you feel: As is well known, it is explained in several sources in Chassidus that the term mitzvah, command, relates to the term tzavsa, meaning "connection." By fulfilling a command, one establishes a connection with the one who issued the command.

[Accordingly,] there is no radiation of vitality greater than when a particular soul has the opportunity to connect to its collective soul.[313] The fact that, at present, this is not felt by the animal soul does not change the reality. See the maamar entitled Ki Menaseh, [5708,] sec. 3.

With regard to the fact that ... [the work] is not developing and that others are also not becoming involved with it: This is precisely the point under discussion. The fact that some members of the committee (and in general, all who have the potential to assist in this) refrain from doing so and are neglectful of their responsibilities, brings about an impediment in the development of kosher Jewish education on the foundation of the Torah and its mitzvos and weakens the involvement of others. In particular, this applies with regard to Temimim whose mission is to be lamps that illuminate. If one's lamp is not shining at present, he prevents light from shining forth to very many other lamps that he could kindle at this time. See Kuntreis HaAvodah, p. 45, Kuntreis U'Maayon, p. 22, and other sources. This is not the appropriate place for elaboration concerning the matter....

With wishes for everlasting good in all matters,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

313. (Back to text) [I.e., by fulfilling the Rebbe's instructions.]

The conduct of Eldad and Meidad

Table of contents

Search this book:

Directives to the Lubavitch community in France, particularly with regard to maamad