...My[42] late revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz] (May I serve as an atonement for his resting-place!), in one of his letters[43] after the passing[44] of his father [the Rebbe Rashab], writes as follows concerning tzaddikim, who protect the world even after their passing: "Not only are they not separated from the flock whose shepherd they have been, but they lovingly present themselves before the footstool of the heavenly throne and take up their place before the splendor of the exalted and sublime G-d, in order to protect the people of Yeshurun (Israel)."

All of this is also true of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz], of blessed memory.

We, however, for our part, should hold on and strengthen our bond with him ever more intensely -- by studying his maamarim, sichos and letters, and by thinking deeply upon the directives to be found in them, as well as upon the directives given to various individuals. And then, we will proceed[45] "in the straight path that he has shown us of his paths, and we will walk in his ways forevermore."

Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

42. (Back to text) The above is an extract from a letter dated 18 Shvat, 5710 [1950], the first letter written by the Rebbe after the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz on 10 (Yud) Shvat, 5710 [1950]. It was first published (in the original Yiddish) as a foreword to the edition of Likkutei Dibburim which appeared immediately after the shivah (Vol. IV, p. 1154), and was reprinted in Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XI, p. 204.

43. (Back to text) First published in Chachmei Yisrael (N.Y., 5684 [1924]), p. 33, and later in the Igros Kodesh (Letters) of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. I, Letter 72.

44. (Back to text) In the original, the word used throughout is histalkus.

45. (Back to text) Iggeres HaKodesh of the Alter Rebbe, Epistle 27; see Lessons In Tanya, Vol. V, p. 169.