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    I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Volume 4
    I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Volume 4
    I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Volume 4
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    I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Volume 4

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    A Treasury of Letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Selections from Igros Kodesh.

    Every day, the postman would deliver several postal sacks of mail to “770.” From year to year, the content of these sacks increased. And as the communications revolution brought us faxes and e-mail, the amount of correspondence the Rebbe received became prodigious.

    And there were answers. At all times — even after his heart attack in 5738 (1977) and during shivah for the Rebbetzin in 5748 (1988) — he would reply to letters. And even after the stroke in 5752 (1992), to the fullest extent possible, the Rebbe endeavored to respond to the many questions sent to him.

    Scholars, communal leaders, children - the wide range of people to whom he wrote is staggering. Equally striking is the individual manner in which he would address and relate to each person.

    Certainly, the letters contain profound lessons. But the larger lessons — insights into the Rebbe-chassid relationship and the different vantage points from which we can see the Rebbe — are the most exciting dimensions of this treasury.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSichos In English
    Release dateOct 10, 2011
    ISBN9781465988423
    I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Volume 4

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      I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Volume 4 - Sichos In English

      I Will Write It In Their Hearts

      Volume 4

      A Treasury of Letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe,

      Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

      Selections from Igros Kodesh

      Translated by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger

      Published by

      Sichos In English

      I Will Write It In Their Hearts

      Volume 4

      Published by Sichos In English at Smashwords

      Copyright 2004 Sichos In English

      ****

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      ****

      788 Eastern Parkway • Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213

      5764 • 2004

      ****

      ISBN 978-1-4659-8842-3

      Chapter 1: Publisher’s Foreword

      B"H

      This volume presents letters from the year 5709 (1948-1949). This was a unique period for Lubavitch-Chabad. The Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, was suffering from a stroke that had incapacitated him to the point that, as one of the vintage chassidim of that era stated: The world has become so dark that we cannot hear the Rebbe’s words. His speech was severely hampered and only a few close confidants were able to understand him.

      This impediment did not prevent him from spearheading efforts to spread Judaism through America and the world at large and lay the foundation for the rebuilding of the Lubavitch-Chabad community after the devastation wrecked upon it by the Communists and the Nazis. If the natural means at his disposal were limited, he had other, higher potentials at his command and he did not hesitate to use them for these purposes.

      Throughout this period, the Rebbe stood at the helm of three organizations: Machne Yisrael, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, and Kehot Publications, established by the Previous Rebbe for the purpose of spreading Jewish identity and observance.¹ As the letters in this volume indicate, he worked tirelessly to advance these goals and spurred others to similar devotion.

      Building the Inner Core

      In chassidic lore,² there is a concept of Anshei Moshe, Moshe’s men, people with absolute dedication to the leader of the generation. Continually, throughout these letters, the Rebbe encouraged chassidim – and not-yet chassidim – to bond with the Moshe of the generation, the Previous Rebbe, and carry out his directives.

      In doing so, the Rebbe corresponded extensively with several people. Over the course of time, through the connection he established with them, there crystallized a core group of followers who revered his word and carried it out without question.

      The above relates to one of the unique developments that figures in this collection of letters: the initiation of the michtav klali/prati (lit., a public/private letter), a letter of general import that was sent to various different individuals, addressed personally to each one.³ At this time, the Rebbe’s correspondence had expanded. To maintain contact with those with whom he had established an ongoing relationship, he would compose one letter in connection with the weekly Torah reading or a forthcoming auspicious Jewish date and send it to various people, making pertinent additions for each one.

      The Primary Focus of the Rebbe’s Attention

      The letters in this volume point to the prominent importance which the Rebbe gave to publishing. Many of the letters translated contain directives concerning the publication and distribution of the books of Kehot Publications, the Lubavitch publishing house that the Rebbe headed. Also, from time to time, these letters give us a glimpse into how much time, effort, and soul the Rebbe himself dedicated to these publishing endeavors. As he writes:⁴

      I remember that I promised you an explanation of the sichah included in the kuntreis for the Pesach holiday. But what can I do? Matters of immediate urgency cause the matters that are not of immediate urgency to be postponed until a more fitting time. For example, after publishing the kuntreis for the Festival of Redemption,⁵ I was compelled to complete everything that is necessary for the publication of the index to the maamarim of the Rebbe [Rashab] that have already been sent to print. Afterwards, it was necessary for me to be involved in the preparation of the Sdei Chemed for print (since, for various reasons, the first volume must not appear later than 12 Elul. Accordingly, the printer is pressing not to delay the other volumes). In the midst of my involvement with this, it became evident that we did not have a sufficient number of machzorim on hand. Thus, more had to be prepared before the appropriate time. Since [a new printing was being made,] I received a directive to prepare at least a short list of Chabad customs for the Ten Days of Repentance which are new or different [than those practice at large]. No doubt, within a week, the kuntreis for Chai Elul will be submitted [to be prepared for printing].... And all of the above comes in addition to [the work on] the maamarim of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, that we began to print more than two years ago, as well as Sefer HaMaamarim 5643, which is in print, and other texts.

      All of this comes in addition to the concerns of the other departments of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and Machne Yisrael that I cannot delegate to others. Nevertheless, I have not given up on [penetrating to] the depths of that sichah, and if I am able to comprehend anything regarding its explanation, I will not hesitate to write what appears to me, according to my humble opinion. I do not know, however, when I will have free time, or at least partially so....

      From Generation to Generation

      Among the other thrusts that characterized the Rebbe’s approach that is reflected in these letters is the importance granted to Lubavitch customs.⁶ To a significant extent, the Stalinist persecutions and the Holocaust had weakened the continuity the Chabad tradition. Children had not grown up at home with their parents looking over their shoulders to guide them in their practice. Moreover, the outreach activities in America and elsewhere had brought many people from other backgrounds to the Lubavitch fold and they certainly were not steeped in Lubavitch practice. As such, the Rebbe felt the need to clearly define the customs we observe. This he did in great detail, giving precise instructions on how to observe different mitzvos and practices and providing thorough explanations regarding the halachic basis of these instructions.

      Back to Basics

      The change in the makeup of the Lubavitch community mentioned above necessitated educational efforts not only in observance, but also in ideology. Fundamental concepts that in previous generations were known viscerally, without having to be spelled out and articulated intellectually, had to be communicated and ingrained within the Chassidic community.

      One of these concepts was the relationship of chassidim to the Rebbe and the role played by the Rebbe within the Chassidic community and within the world at large. On a very basic level, the Rebbe wrote frequent letters to stress the importance of maamad,⁷ money given to the Rebbe by chassidim to support his household needs and distribute to others at his discretion. But far beyond teaching the chassidim to augment the material bonds between them and the Rebbe, he also taught them to heighten the inner connection they share. Thus the Rebbe wrote several letters⁸ encouraging the preparation of a book of pictures of Lubavitcher chassidim and their families all over the world to be given to the Previous Rebbe. He highlighted the result of this campaign, stating:⁹

      Here, it is already possible to see the positive feelings that were aroused among different people who are bonded [to the Rebbe] from the knowledge that the Lubavitcher Rebbe desires their family pictures so that he will be able to recall them.

      In clear and certain terms, he emphasized that a Rebbe is not merely the leader of a small group of followers but the leader of the entire people, who shows care and concern for every Jew. And he charged chassidim with communicating this concept to other, even those on the peripheries of the Jewish community, as he writes:¹⁰

      As a result, just as he is not at all embarrassed to tell his acquaintances who are in need the address of an expert doctor, so too, when he sees a person who is confused or confronted by a fundamental life question, he tells him: The Jewish people are not without assistance, Heaven forbid. There is someone we can ask. Moreover, he does not wait until his acquaintances come to him to ask if there is a Rebbe, for by and large they don’t know what a Rebbe is. Instead, he goes to them and explains to them.

      Time to Light Candles

      In these letters, the Rebbe also begins to articulate the need for outreach activities, that beyond its efforts to preserve and maintain its own tradition, Lubavitch must spearhead the efforts to spread Chassidus to Jews of other backgrounds, those observant and those not yet observant. As the Rebbe writes:¹¹

      After all the years that you have been in your community, have you not been able to bring even one person under your influence?... When will you finally begin doing your share to spread forth the wellsprings of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings outward? Mashiach is waiting for the activities each one of us will perform so that the answer he gave the Baal Shem Tov will be fulfilled and he will then come and redeem us from exile — the exile of the body and the exile of the soul.

      And in another letter, he asks a distinguished chassid:

      How many [of those] people were added to [those involved in] the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe through your efforts?

      Frequently, he would rouse chassidim to activity, refusing to let them content themselves with sighing over an undesirable situation, as he writes:¹²

      Gevald! Reb.... How much critique will you give? Even if you were correct in all of your letters and demands, there is nothing but negativity. Why don’t you invest your energies in positive things, in building Chabad activities in your community, in your synagogue, and in your city?

      He also was personally involved in these outreach efforts, corresponding with individuals and encouraging them both to make continued personal advance in Jewish practice and to share their growth with others. For example, he writes:¹³

      You write that you have become depressed because the level of Jewish life in your city and in the surrounding cities is not good.

      Do you think that this is a solution and a means to correct the situation?

      You no doubt know that, as the Alter Rebbe writes in Tanya, ch. 26, the opposite is true. Sadness weakens a person [and holds him back] in the battle that he must wage with the yetzer hara and with the evil in the world. If he sees that the enemy is strengthening itself, Heaven forbid, he should become even more energetic and should seek methods to become victorious.

      A Kaleidoscope of Activity

      Beyond the individual points mentioned above, one of the unique dimensions of these collections of letters is the multifaceted picture of the Rebbe it presents. For example, the present collection includes letters that feature discussions with leading Torah scholars,¹⁴ revolutionary analysis of halachic issues,¹⁵ clarification of profound chassidic concepts,¹⁶ the encouragement of chassidim to write their memoirs,¹⁷ and a stress on the campaigns initiated by the Previous Rebbe, including the division of the Talmud.¹⁸

      Towards the Ultimate Horizon

      Publishing these letters is not intended merely to bring to mind pleasant memories – though it certainly will. Instead, it is a future-oriented endeavor, for the Rebbe’s advice to individuals and his general guidance in building Lubavitch-Chabad as it was transplanted to the American continent provide us with direction and encouragement as we shoulder the mission of spiritual responsibility with which he charged us: to prepare the world for the coming of Mashiach, the Redemption, and the Resurrection. Then we will no longer have to content ourselves with reading letters written years ago, but will hear new teachings from the Rebbe. May this take place in the immediate future.

      Rabbi Eliyahu Touger

      Sichos In English

      Tammuz 3, 5764

      * * *

      Credits

      Rochel Chana Schilder for editing; Rabbi Aharon Leib Raskin for checking the authenticity of the text and supplying additional references and source material; Yosef Yitzchok Turner for designing the layout and typography; Rabbi Yonah Avtzon for preparing the text for publication; Avrohom Weg for designing the cover; and Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levine, whose notes and background information to Igros Kodesh were an invaluable resource.

      Chapter 2: Treasury of Letters

      No. 406

      This letter was written by the Rebbe to be translated into English and sent to Mr. Julius Stulman, one of the primary supporters of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch in its early history.¹⁹

      [8 Tishrei, 5709]

      I acknowledge the receipt of your letter and express thanks on behalf of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and on my own behalf for your appreciation of the work of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch as expressed in the lofty terms of praise you used in your letter. This strengthens and reinforces our spirits. This is particularly necessary in these days when the obstacles and impediments to the activities within the growth plan of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch are growing and multiplying, and those who help are becoming weaker and less. The schedule of activity is growing and increasing from month to month and from week to week and there is no possibility of diminishing it unless sacrifices (in spirit, which will ultimately [affect] the bodies) are made by those who are being assisted by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch.²⁰ I cannot take the responsibility [of diminishing these activities] upon myself.

      To further develop the excellent analogy that you mentioned in your letter: an atom bomb and the tremendous energy that is released in this manner. You are no doubt aware that in this context, many of the fundamental questions that stood before the scientists revolved around [a particular concept,] a chain process, and the success of the entire project depended on the solution they devised [concerning it].

      a) [In] a chain process, the desired result will be reached by a machine creating fission within certain elements of the atom that will lead to the fission of other atoms which in turn will lead to the fission of other atoms. And in this way, the energy will continue to increase.

      b) In an undesirable situation, it will be possible to arrange that the number of atoms affected by fission will continually decrease.²¹

      c) The cost (both in energy and in finances) in bringing about the fission of the atom will be less than the profit brought about by the energy released by the fission. [This is of fundamental importance,] because the ultimate purpose of all the experiments and all the work in this field was not intended to be merely theoretical, but instead, for [the knowledge to] be applied in actual life [situations] and in this way, make our lives better and more refined.

      The analogue to the above certainly does not require explanation to a person such as yourself.

      Again I would like to wish you and the members of your household a chasimah and a g’mar chasimah tovah. May the coming year see an increase in your potential and your desire to use your powers on the path that was laid out for the entire Jewish people from the day they stood at Mount Sinai, i.e., the path of the Torah and its mitzvos. In particular, this applies to the field of kosher [Jewish] education. May the blessings which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, gave you be fulfilled.

      No. 407

      This letter was addressed to Rabbi M. Zalowinsky.

      B"H, 8 Tishrei, 5709

      Greetings and blessings,

      In response to your question regarding the actual halachic ruling (halachah lemaaseh) concerning strands for tzitzis that were made by a Jew with the intent that they be used for the mitzvah,²² but that were made using a machine:

      There is a difference of opinion among the later authorities concerning this issue, and the majority rule leniently. You are, however, aware of the view of the Divrei Chayim (Orach Chayim, Vol. II, sec. 1) and those who share his opinion and forbid this.

      I asked my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, what course of action should be taken, and he told me that during World War I (5675-5678 {1915-1918}) when refugees came to the inner portions of Russia, the Rebbe Rashab sent special agents to the factory of R. Ginsburg and they made tzitzis using machines. Practical application [serves as guidance for determining halachah].

      It is understandable that the above applies with regard to [making the tzitzis] for the sake of the mitzvah. One must, however, be careful that there is no trace of flax or any other fabric mixed in.

      Concluding with a blessing for a chasimah and a g’mar chasimah tovah for you and for the entire brotherhood.

      Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

      No. 409

      This letter was addressed to Rabbi S. M.

      B"H, 9 Tishrei, 5709

      Greetings and blessings,

      In response to your letter of 25 Elul, [in which you asked]:

      a) How should one conduct himself regarding the blessings al netilas yadayim and Elokai Neshamah when he remains awake all night?

      The directive given publicly is that one does not recite them, as stated in the Alter Rebbe’s [Piskei Siddur]. It is clear that one may hear them [recited by] someone who slept [and in that manner fulfill his obligation if he is in fact obligated]. (The directive given secretly is that [these blessings] should be recited. This is what I heard from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita.)

      b) Is the Torah read in a minyan when all of those in the minyan have already heard the reading of the Torah?

      I have never heard or seen people conduct themselves in that manner.

      Enclosed are three maamarim to be shared with others.

      With blessings for a g’mar chasimah tovah,

      Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

      No. 410

      This letter was addressed to Rabbi Y.

      B"H, 9 Tishrei, 5709

      Greetings and blessings,

      With regard to your letter of 24 Elul, in response to your question with regard to the congregation’s reading of the phrases zochreinu... u’besefer...when the sheliach tzibbur repeats [the Shemoneh Esreh].

      Our custom, as verified explicitly by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, is that the congregation recite u’chsov... and u’chsom...²³ and u’besefer on Shabbos and festivals as well.

      You write that there are those [who follow the custom that the congregation] also repeat zochreinu... and mi chamocha...and that it appears to you that this practice should be followed, for what reason is there to differentiate between [these refrains] and u’chsov...?

      I have heard about this custom and I have always wondered why the phrase mi chamocha... is repeated, for this is not a request for mercy, but instead a recounting of G-d’s praise.

      The rationale for our custom not to repeat zochreinu...²⁴ is that the request Remember us for life is a lesser request.²⁵ Therefore the congregation does not repeat it after they have already asked:²⁶ Write down... for a good life. The sheliach tzibbur, by contrast, [recites zochreinu despite the fact that he has said u’chsov, because he recites] u’chsov²⁷ [only] in order to prepare for the recitation of his [public] prayers.²⁸

      With regard to sending the publications of Otzar HaChassidim and Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch to your community: Inform me of the number of copies of each [publication desired].

      I have asked several times whether anyone is in possession of the explanations of Rav Shmuel Gronem Esterman on the Tanya.²⁹ ([I am asking to borrow them] with the intent that they will be returned.) I have not received a clear response.

      I conclude with blessings for a chasimah and a g’mar chasimah tovah,

      Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

      No. 411

      The name of the person to whom this letter was addressed was not released.

      B"H, Erev Yom Kippur, 5709

      Greetings and blessings,

      I received your blessings for the coming year. Everyone who gives blessings is blessed³⁰ with blessings from the Holy One, blessed be He that exceed his initial blessings.

      For some time, I have wished to motivate you concerning the following matter and I will use this opportunity. In particular, [it is appropriate] because the present days are a time of will in the spiritual realms and on the earthly plane.

      There are very many people who seek to make an eternal remembrance in a fitting manner for their relatives who have passed away or, lehavdil, for [the merit] of themselves or relatives who are alive, may they be granted long life and good years. My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, emphasized the great importance of this matter with regard to your deeds in printing several texts of Chassidus for the merit of such people and ordered that on the title page it be stated that the text was printed by you for the merit of so-and-so. Certainly, you have seen this in several of the texts from the series Toras Shmuel that are also available in Paris. Your example was emulated by several of the members of the chassidic brotherhood.

      [As such,] I would like to make the following suggestion for you as approved by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita: that you take upon yourself the printing of one of the texts of Chassidus that are now prepared for publication in the merit of your parents z"l. It is certainly not necessary to explain to a person like yourself the great merit and the great satisfaction generated for [your parents’] souls by you who serve as their successor and the one who perpetuates their Divine service with regard to the Torah and mitzvos.

      We are now preparing to publish the Tzemach Tzedek’s [maamarim] on Shmos, Vol. I; the maamarim of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, from the years 5704-5705; and the series of maamarim beginning on Rosh HaShanah, 5708.

      The printing expenses may be paid out over several months if it is difficult for you to pay the entire sum at once, as long as we are certain that at set times we will receive the appropriate amount of funds.

      The expenses are approximately $2000 for the first and second options. (This takes into consideration the fact that part of the expenses will be recovered through the sale of the books.) For the third option, the cost would be $1000.

      It is possible that when you see such sums you will wonder why I would suggest that you commit yourself to such amounts. I am, however, certain that if you contemplate the matter and take into consideration that [the donation] is for the purpose of elevating the souls of those mentioned above, and when considering the relationship that is appropriate between you and them, you will accept one of these suggestions with deepfelt will and desire, and notify my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, of this.

      When, at the beginning of the year, we show G-d that we are taking a prolific stance and we begin a project in the realm of the Torah and its mitzvos, in particular in the realm of pnimiyus haTorah, the entire year follows that pattern in both material and spiritual matters.

      Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

      Enclosed is the latest kuntreis that was published.

      No. 412

      This letter was addressed to Rabbi Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod, an active communal Rabbi in Baltimore.

      B"H, 29 Tishrei, 5709

      Greetings and blessings,

      I was informed of the tragedy that occurred with the passing of your mother. May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

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