The Haftorah to be read when Rosh Chodesh Av falls on Shabbos

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Continuing one's activities as they were performed during the lifetime of the Rebbe Rayatz

No. 637

This letter was sent to many individuals, addressed to each one individually.

B"H, 3 Tammuz, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

Enclosed is the kuntres for the approaching Festival of Redemption, Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz. You will surely share it with all [the people in] your surroundings without differentiating between categories, as is appropriate [in consideration] of the words of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, in his letter (Kuntres 59, p.27)[576] concerning this redemption: "It was not myself alone that the Holy One, blessed be He, redeemed on Yud-Beis Tammuz, but also all those who love our holy Torah, observe its commandments, and so, too, all those who merely bear the name 'Jew.'"

This includes all the types of Jewish men and women: those who possess the virtues of both Torah study and the observance of its mitzvos: those who possess only one of these virtues; and [also] those who possess neither, but "merely bear the name 'Jew.'"

As is well known, the term yechunah (translated as "bears the name") implies a subject and a name which hides and conceals the identity of the one called by that name, to the extent that [not only] is it not his essential name, it is not an abbreviation of that name or an explanation of it. It may not even be in the same language as the person's name. Moreover, this appellation may not be the person's own name, only that of his family. (See Vayikra Rabbah 30:12; Tikkunei Zohar, p. 15a; Meorei Or, maareches chof, Os 25; Tur and Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer 129:16 and commentaries; Kav Naki, klal 38; Sdei Chemed, Asifas Dinim, maareches get, sec. 7; the maamar of Yud-Tes Kislev, 5700, Kuntres 73, sec.2.)

You should share not only the kuntres with people at large, but also — as implied by the interpretation of the Mechilta of the phrase[577] "that you shall place before them" — you should explain to every man and woman that what is of primary importance is to bring the explanations and the study into deed and action, every man and woman according to his or her qualities, in both intellect and emotion.

[To accomplish] this as well, we receive vitality and strength from the head of the generation, the Nasi of the generation, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m. For, as stated in the introduction of the kuntres,[578] from the Nasi, nurture and vitality are received [to emulate] all the qualities attributed to him: "the paradigm of self-sacrifice" ([associated with the sefirah of] Kesser), "a gaon"([associated with] the intellectual faculties), "a man of exemplary character traits" ([associated with] Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferes, Netzach, and Hod, the fundamental emotional qualities), "a tzaddik" ([associated with] Yesod), "an individual endowed with Divine inspiration" ([associated with] Malchus), "an individual accustomed to [performing] miracles, and so on" ([associated with] thought, speech, and deed).

The potential for all of the above is granted to us. We possess the [essential] desire for all of the above. And when we actually desire it — there is nothing that can stand in the face of desire.

With blessings for the Festival of Redemption and with wishes for all forms of good,

M. Schneerson

---

Your pan was received[579] and I will, without committing myself by a vow, read it at the gravesite on the upcoming Festival of Redemption.

It would be desirable if you would notify me of the progress of the students in Torah [study] and in Divine service on a regular basis.

You will undoubtedly notify me of the improvement in your wife's health.

   

Notes:

576. (Back to text) [Sefer HaMaamarim 5708, p. 263; reprinted in the Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. II, Letter No. 386.]

577. (Back to text) [Shmos 21:1. The Mechilta interprets the verse as implying that a teacher should arrange subject matter for his students so that it is like "a set table," easily accessible for them.]

578. (Back to text) [Letter No. 635, above; Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, p. 254.]

579. (Back to text) [This note was appended to the above letter and sent to R. Shlomo Chayim Kesselman, mashpia of the Lubavitcher yeshivah in Lod.]

The Haftorah to be read when Rosh Chodesh Av falls on Shabbos

Table of contents

Search this book:

Continuing one's activities as they were performed during the lifetime of the Rebbe Rayatz