1184 —השראת צעירים להפצת חסידות וארגון פעילות הפצה

B"H, 9 Elul, 5711.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With pleasure and joy I read the details of your gathering, that you are already preparing a program for real work. Although happiness is struck in my heart from one side, there is also a pang of sorrow from the other side that many are missing from the list of participants. Yet I hope that over time these too will join you. The Holy One, blessed be He, found no vessel to hold blessing for Israel except peace. Of course, they will join without you having to give up on essential matters.

At this time I wish to inspire you regarding the bright and clear day of Chai Elul approaching soon. Surely you will utilize it with energy and vitality—traits of youth—to spread the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe, whose birthdays—both spiritually and physically—fall on this Chai Elul. Spread this idea in ever-wider circles, even among those who are currently distant from our environment.

It is well known the saying of my revered father-in-law the Rebbe zatzal regarding the difference between "the worldly ones" and Chabad: The order among "the worldly ones" was that great men would sit at home in their place and anyone who desired Torah would come to them to benefit from their Torah's radiance. From the Baal Shem Tov onward, however, they instituted a new order: The Baal Shem Tov himself would travel around towns—not waiting until people came to him thirsting for G‑d's word—but he himself would go from place to place, city to city, village to village, spreading the teachings of the living G‑d (see Sefer HaSichos summer 5700 [1940], last day of Pesach at the daytime meal).

b) Arrange a work plan for how to utilize the upcoming month of Tishrei—again through traveling to various places in Eretz Yisrael or during the Days of Awe or during Sukkot—the main thing being that it should be organized so as to cover as wide an area as possible and reach as many men, women, and children as possible.

c) Special attention in all these matters is required for our Yemenite brothers and those from Persia etc., who on one hand currently have no knowledge at all about Chassidus—its teachings or its ways—but on the other hand are highly receptive due to their fear of Heaven and connection with Kabbalah and faith in tzaddikim; they are ready to accept any true teaching shown them from Toras Daas HaChassidus inherited from our holy Rebbeim zatzal.

I am interested in knowing details about your proposed plan. It is best that you consult about these matters with the directors of Agudas Chassidei Chabad. Although much responsibility for this work—which involves much travel requiring great energy—rests on your shoulders as youth, nevertheless our Sages said: 'The demolition by elders is building; how much more so is building by elders truly building.'

At present I do not have sufficient means at hand to cover all expenses connected with this work; however since I strongly desire to participate even from here in such an elevated matter—and since it is not possible for several reasons to send money directly—I am enclosing here a certificate for packages (and our Sages said: something equivalent to money is like money).

In a separate envelope I am sending you an excerpt from a talk given on Shabbos Mevorchim Elul as well as a booklet about public activism by Chabad just published—all sent by airmail. Please confirm receipt.

Blessings for being inscribed and sealed for good for all members—they and their families and all they possess; may everyone stand blessed for a good and sweet year.

Awaiting good news.

Summary

The Rebbe urges youth activists to expand outreach efforts with enthusiasm—especially around significant dates like Chai Elul—by spreading Chassidus broadly and inclusively while consulting experienced leaders for guidance.