The importance of being alive spiritually and conveying that vitality to others; a private note stating, "When there is doubt how to conduct oneself, if you will stand firm in your connection to [the Rebbe Rayatz], the Rebbe will find a way to answer you"

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A gift for a groom

No. 580

The text of this letter was sent to various individuals, personally addressed to each one.

B"H, 10 Nissan, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

Enclosed is the kuntres for the coming Pesach holiday.[336] You will undoubtedly share it with others on both the communal and individual level. When speaking of individuals, the intent is not merely oneself, for that is obvious, but to other individuals [in one's surroundings], for the Rebbeim in general, and in particular the Rebbe of our generation, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, instructed us that it is necessary to work for the benefit — both material and spiritual — of even one other person with all of one's power and strength.

This directive can be understood because we do not know who is upright or whether everyone is indeed good. Moreover, every Jew is an entire world[337] in his own right. Thus, as explained in the sichah printed in the kuntres (and cited also in the introduction)[338] — every individual is a multitude. He has the power to create a community and endow a community with life.

Thus if among the people in your sphere of influence there is one who is by nature a loner, a person who keeps to himself, this is only his natural tendency before he begins working with himself. Who knows what his situation and standing will be tomorrow or after a given time! In particular, [this is true in light of] our Sages' well-known statement (Talmud Yerushalmi, Kesuvos 1:2) that a halachic ruling changes the nature [of existence in the world].

If the loner will be brought into connection with "the place of the Rebbe," then [the principle]:[339] "In Rebbe's place,[340] the halachah follows Rebbe's perspective" [will be manifest]. This individual will thus affect and vitalize all of his surroundings. Thus the effort invested in him will bring dividends and secondary dividends forever. [And the term "forever,"] ad sof ha'olam, [can also be interpreted as]: "until the end of the concealment."[341]

May it be G-d's will that speedily in our days, we merit the fulfillment of the prophecy:[342] "As in the days of your exodus from Egypt" — Egypt, Mitzrayim, also has the connotation of boundaries (meitzarim) and hiddenness — "I will show [the people] wonders."

With wishes for a kosher and happy Pesach holiday,

M. Schneerson

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Enclosed is a copy of a letter I wrote to another person.

I received both your letters. Thank you for the good news that the schedule [of the yeshivah] and thestudy sessions are being [diligently] adhered to. Undoubtedly, you will increase and strengthen the above in the future.

   

Notes:

336. (Back to text) [Printed in Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, p. 169ff.]

337. (Back to text) [See Sanhedrin 37a.]

338. (Back to text) [See Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, pp. 170 and 190. Note the explanation of this concept in the sichos of Yud Shvat, 5740.]

339. (Back to text) [See Shabbos 19b.]

340. (Back to text) [The Talmudic passage is referring to Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi who was referred to as Rebbe. The Rebbe uses that term to allude to the Rebbe Rayatz.]

341. (Back to text) [Likkutei Torah, Bamidbar 37d.]

342. (Back to text) [Michah 7:15.]

The importance of being alive spiritually and conveying that vitality to others; a private note stating, "When there is doubt how to conduct oneself, if you will stand firm in your connection to [the Rebbe Rayatz], the Rebbe will find a way to answer you"

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Search this book:

A gift for a groom