Explanations regarding kabbalistic levels cited in Chassidus

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No. 467

This letter was addressed to R. Ben Tzion Shemtov, at that time, the Previous Rebbe’s emissary in England.

B"H, 29 Adar, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

My letter and the kuntreis for Purim no doubt reached you. I am amazed that you did not acknowledge your receipt of it.

It seems from your letters that you are still residing in Paris. Although it is difficult to make definitive statements from a distance, nevertheless, it appears regretful and amazing that you are spending so much time — which does not return — outside the place where my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, appointed you as his emissary and agent. Perhaps one could say that the intent is that [your activity parallels the story of] the Maggid [of Mezritch who] taught his disciples yichudim (meditative states of oneness) that were related to particular countries — but then matters were spoken openly and everyone saw that these were actually meditative states of oneness.[304] [In contrast,] in the present age, everything depends on becoming enclothed in a garment. Therefore it is possible to think that the intent itself is the galoshes, [i.e., the lowest garment].[305]

In truth, if the shaliach knew — i.e., knowledge representing deep connection and recognition, as it is written:[306] “And Adam knew Chavah,” until he breaks[307] his personal identity and self-concern — that he was sent by the principal, [he would ask himself]: If the principal is not concerned with the involvement with galoshes (according to the shaliach’s understanding), why is [the shaliach] so concerned?

My intent is not to lecture, but to reiterate the concept stated in the enclosed kuntreis, sec. 3: [308] That each one of our days is one of the days uniquely allotted to (a person) for the sake of serving G-d. And there is a well-known statement of our Sages[309] that a [Levite designated to] sing [in the Beis HaMikdash] should not help another [Levite whose mission is] to guard the gates, for his service must be in the place designated as his portion.

Enclosed is a kuntreis for Beis Nissan and a letter [concerning] Machne Israel. Note its conclusion which states that this type of service represents genuine greatness.

With greetings to all those who seek our welfare,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

304. (Back to text) [I.e., the Maggid entrusted his disciples with a mission to affect these countries through their yichudim, meditative states. Thus it was their thoughts and not their activities that were of paramount importance. See Sefer HaSichos 5699, p. 303. The Rebbe appears to be implying that at present, the mission with which the Previous Rebbe charged his disciples was to become involved with the people in their particular places and affect them through direct contact.]

305. (Back to text) [I.e., one might think that the intent of sending a shaliach to a place is only to collect money there. That is incorrect. Instead, the intent is to transform the place into a chassidic community.]

306. (Back to text) [Bereishis 4:1, as quoted by Tanya, ch. 3.]

307. (Back to text) [This is also implied by the Hebrew yadah, as evident from Shoftim 8:16.]

308. (Back to text) [Reprinted in Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 77.]

309. (Back to text) [Arachin 11b.]

Explanations regarding kabbalistic levels cited in Chassidus

Table of contents

Search this book:

The need for Lubavitch Rabbis to assist in fundraising for Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch