Engagement blessings; the need to break the cycle of complacency and begin outreach activities in earnest; the importance of connecting Jews with the Previous Rebbe

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An explanation of Rabbah’s statement cited at the beginning of Tanya: “I, for example, am a beinoni.”

No. 446

This letter was sent to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shemtov, one of the active members of the chassidic brotherhood.

B"H, 15 Shvat, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

A letter was finally received from you (from 4 Shvat). Since you did not write how long you will be staying in Paris, I am sending my response there.

1. Enclosed is a kuntreis for Yud/Yud-Gimmel Shvat, which you will no doubt make available to people at large.

2. The letter that you mention from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, from the year 5670, is not in my possession. Hence, I do not know to what you are referring. There are at least two points in which I do not agree with what you write:

i) Why do you offer me excuses concerning all the matters that are not as they should be? Your work and my work is not our own. Instead, it is fundamentally G-d’s work, as our Sages state in the Mishnah at the conclusion of tractate Kiddushin: “I was created solely to serve my Creator.” ([This statement is] explained according to Chassidus at the conclusion of the second maamar entitled VeSamti Kadkod in Likkutei Torah. It is self-evident that this does not represent a contradiction to the statements in the beginning of the maamar entitled Taamah in the enclosed kuntreis.) As such, of what benefit will it be if I accept your excuses? For our Sages have taught:[211] “The day is short, the task is great, and the Employer is pressing.”

I do not want to elaborate, since presently you are not in the place of your fundamental mission. I will make use of a lead [pencil],[212] but you will forget about the matter by the time you get back to England. May it be G-d’s will that from this time onward, there will be no need for rebuke and the like and you will serve G-d with happiness[213] continually, throughout the day.

ii) Why do you continually postpone the enhancement of your work? What will be with the days that pass and will never return? “[A fixed number of] days have been created”[214] and “[Man has] a fixed time [upon the earth].”[215]

As above, I am only writing now with extreme brevity and with a hint for the wise.[216]

3. Since you are presently staying in Paris, that no doubt relates to your identity as the Rebbe’s emissary. I am enclosing a copy of a letter[217] that I wrote to someone there concerning nifneh[218] in Paris and its surroundings because I remember that you would always find commendable things to say about work that was performed and work that was not performed.[219]

Awaiting favorable tidings about action which is of supreme importance; with good wishes to all those who seek our welfare,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

211. (Back to text) [Avos 2:15.]

212. (Back to text) [I.e., to write you this letter.]

213. (Back to text) [Cf. Tehillim 100:2.]

214. (Back to text) [Ibid. 139:16.]

215. (Back to text) [Cf. Iyov 7:1.]

216. (Back to text) [Cf. Zohar I, p. 26a, et al., which implies that for the wise, a hint is sufficient.]

217. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 445.]

218. (Back to text) [The chassidic code for maamad, money given to the Rebbe by chassidim to support his household needs and distribute to others at his discretion.]

219. (Back to text) [I.e., the Rebbe is chiding Reb Ben Tzion for defending the lack of activity on the part of his fellow chassidim.]

Engagement blessings; the need to break the cycle of complacency and begin outreach activities in earnest; the importance of connecting Jews with the Previous Rebbe

Table of contents

Search this book:

An explanation of Rabbah’s statement cited at the beginning of Tanya: “I, for example, am a beinoni.”