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Blessings to a chassid for setting up home in a new setting

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Instructions to a chassid in Jerusalem

No. 497

This letter was sent to Rabbi Betzalel Wilshanski, one of the early members of the chassidic community in Australia.

B"H, 4 Tammuz, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

You have no doubt received my long letter[444] already. Please acknowledge its receipt. I am now addressing a matter of present concern, the enclosed kuntreis for the Holiday of Redemption.[445] It is [being sent] to be shared with people at large.

Also enclosed is a letter from Machne Israel.[446] You no doubt will do what is necessary — and [do so] in an appropriate manner — [to involve] all the members of the chassidic brotherhood in your community.

And “the last is the most cherished”[447]: enclosed is a letter from the Committee for Maamad. Even though it is certainly unnecessary for me to add encouragement regarding this matter, nevertheless, our Sages said:[448] “We encourage only those who are eager.” Hence, I am doing that as well.

As is well known, several sources in Chassidus[449] explain the great advantage produced by the fulfillment of mitzvos with material entities. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that the ultimate purpose is spirituality (see Likkutei Torah, the beginning of Parshas Shemini). In your profession,[450] you should endeavor to “circumcise the hearts”[451] of those in your surroundings, as stated in Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 4. See also the conclusion of the maamar in the enclosed kuntreis.[452]

With greetings to all those who seek our welfare,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Please deliver the enclosed letter[453] to my relative, R. Isser Kluvgant. I thank you in advance for your efforts.

   

Notes:

444. (Back to text) [Letter No. 494.]

445. (Back to text) [I.e., Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz, the anniversary of the Previous Rebbe’s release from prison. See Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 183ff.]

446. (Back to text) [The letter, reproduced in the Rebbe’s Igros Kodesh, Vol. III, p. 130, speaks of preparing a book of pictures of Lubavitcher chassidim and their families all over the world to be given to the Previous Rebbe.]

447. (Back to text) [Bereishis Rabbah 78:8.]

448. (Back to text) [Sifri, Bamidbar 5:2.]

449. (Back to text) [Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 20, et al.]

450. (Back to text) [Rabbi Wilshanski was also a mohel.]

451. (Back to text) [Cf. Devarim 10:16.]

452. (Back to text) [Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 195.]

453. (Back to text) [Letter No. 496.]

Blessings to a chassid for setting up home in a new setting

Table of contents

Search this book:

Instructions to a chassid in Jerusalem