1135 —על שליחת נציג ובקשת תמיכה לשמיטה

B"H, 19 Menachem Av, 5711.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letters from the 7th of Menachem Av and Friday, Parshas Devarim... you inform me that you have decided to send here a special representative as an agent from Anash of Kfar Chabad. However, you do not clarify the purpose of this mission, nor could I understand from your letter whether this is an announcement of a decision or a question as to whether it is worthwhile to do so. If this is an announcement of a decision, then please clarify this explicitly once again and work on obtaining the necessary papers. But if it is being presented as a question, I am not at all in favor of your suggestion, as I do not see much benefit in it—especially since during Tishrei in particular, and at the beginning of the Shemitah year with all the changes in your settlement in general, it is not at all an appropriate time for an active and influential person to leave for several weeks. Surely much of what could be accomplished by coming here can also be achieved through letters, etc.

In the next two weeks, leading figures from the United Appeal here will visit Eretz HaKodesh (may it be rebuilt), along with leaders of the Appeal for Eretz HaKodesh and the Joint. In my opinion, it would be very proper (a) to arrange for them to visit Kfar Chabad and organize an appropriate reception; (b) afterwards, when they are in good spirits etc., representatives from Anash of Kfar should visit them. To strengthen this effort, representatives from Agudas Chabad and Anash synagogues should also participate to show that this is a significant force in Eretz HaKodesh. (If representatives from other institutions do not visit them, then at least empower those who do visit to speak on their behalf as well.) After presenting matters appropriately, you should firmly—but calmly and peacefully—request special support for the Shemitah year. In passing, it may also be worthwhile to mention that they surely know it is possible to conduct a public appeal from Lubavitch in America for the Shemitah fund in Eretz HaKodesh; however, this has been delayed because it would likely cause a deficit in their general fundraising coffers. Therefore they must recognize the legitimacy of your request for Shemitah support—it is not a loss for their fund but rather the opposite, etc., etc.

Of course all this applies only if no other party or institution is already speaking on behalf of Kfar Chabad regarding Shemitah support.

With blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe advises careful consideration before sending representatives abroad and stresses maximizing local efforts and unity when seeking support for Shemitah observance. Assertive yet peaceful advocacy and coordination among community institutions are key.