818 —הפצת חסידות בלי הפסקה

B"H, 8th of Kislev, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Shlomo Matsov

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Rosh Chodesh Kislev, I hasten to answer and inform you that in my opinion you should firmly maintain your view that you are one of those privileged to participate in one of the branches of the work of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m, especially such a branch that serves to spread the wellsprings outward in the fullest sense. This means literally bringing the wellsprings to Africa and spreading them there, even among circles that for now must still be called "outside." One of your tasks will be to bring them into and establish them in the light of Torah with its inner dimension—the Torah of Chassidus.

As for any obstacles or hindrances that have been or may still exist, this is only further proof of the greatness and preciousness of this matter. As is known in Chassidus regarding the concept of "yoker" (preciousness), which has two meanings: schwer (difficult) and teyer (precious).

Today they telegraphed Casablanca regarding the papers for you and your wife T., and in any case I hope that this month—which is the month of redemption—this matter too will succeed and "the wellsprings will spread outward."

I have already written briefly in the introduction to Kuntres Yud-Tes Kislev about the expression of Mashiach—Yafutzu Maayanosecha Chutzah ("Your wellsprings will spread outward")—that it is known regarding a spring's water that it can purify even drawn water as long as it remains connected to its source. As stated in Mishnah Mikvaot chapter 5: a spring whose water was passed over a pool retains its status, but if its flow was interrupted it loses its status as a spring. This is also ruled by tzt"z in Shut Yoreh Deah section 264:2 and Shaar HaMiluim vol. 3 p. 37a-b; according to Raavad, Rashba, Rambam in his commentary on Mishnah etc., that the Mishnah refers to an empty pool—not like Maharik (cited by Beit Yosef). Even according to Maharik, a full pool is only like a spring when it contains spring water still connected to its source. Another condition according to Rambam (chapter 9 halacha 9) is that spring water must exit from the pool.

Regarding our topic—the spreading of wellsprings outward—it must be that the waters we influence remain connected to their source through our bond with our generation's Nasi—my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m—who is the Baal Shem Tov of our generation. According to Rambam there is another condition: spring water must continue flowing further; not just enough so as to moisten others so they can moisten others themselves, but so that this moistening itself enables further moistening—like spring water which does not remain in one pool but causes water to flow beyond it and affect even further outside.

This idea may be alluded to in Iggeres HaKodesh (27) about passing on growths upon growths etc., and in Nigleh Torah by our Sages' teaching on "They shall not depart from your mouth nor from your children's mouth nor from your children's children..."

With blessings for success and good settlement together with your wife T., with good news always,
M. Schneerson

Just now I received your letter from Rosh Chodesh Kislev. They have already written to Haraha"ch etc. R.M. Lipsker asking him to promptly inform you of details regarding this matter; then you will submit together with your wife T. an application for entry permit to Meknes.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that spreading Chassidus requires unwavering commitment and an unbroken connection with its source—the Nasi HaDor—so that its influence continues expanding ever outward without interruption.