1078 —לקחים מהמרגלים וערך העבודה הפשוטה בתורה

B"H, 4th of Tammuz, 5711.

Brooklyn.

The Avrech haVavac"h iy"a etc. Meir Witsky

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter from the first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz in time, and I am pleased to hear that the shiur in shul has been renewed. Thank you for conveying greetings to the baalei batim in shul and about the order of Shabbos Mevarchim. I hope you will also be able to influence them to introduce other Shabbos Mevarchim customs, such as saying Tehillim, etc.

You will surely also convey what was discussed on Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shelach regarding the sin of the spies, who were upright—kosher—as Rashi explains. Because of this, they did not want to enter Eretz Yisrael. Chassidus explains that their mistake was that while in the desert they were occupied only with Torah and spirituality: for food they had the manna, for drink they had Miriam's well, and their clothes grew with them, as Rashi explains on the verse 'Simlatcha lo balta me'alecha' ("Your garment did not wear out upon you"). Therefore, they did not want to be involved with matters of this world; entering Eretz Yisrael would require a different order—working the land, engaging in commerce, etc.—even though all this must be according to Torah: guarding against theft, lashon hara, encroaching on boundaries, etc., and fulfilling mitzvos like maaser, shevi'is, terumah. Still, there would be less time for learning and davening. The spies argued: why exchange their refined work in the desert for the work of Eretz Yisrael—dealing with fruits of the land (not manna) and with 'the people dwelling within it' (not as in the desert where 'the nation dwells alone')? Thus it would be an 'Eretz ocheles yoshveha' ("a land that consumes its inhabitants")—it would consume Israel's spirituality and holiness.

Yet they erred in this. As the Torah says: 'Tovah haaretz meod meod' ("The land is very very good"). Even though this work is simple and straightforward matters, this is what Hashem wants—that even simple things should visibly show a Jew acting as he should. This is more precious to Hashem than Torah study in the desert.

This must serve as a lesson for all of us: finding ourselves in such a difficult exile where for various reasons one cannot learn eight hours a day or participate much in public shiurim at shul—and even those shiurim are not on deep topics but rather learning halachos from Kitzur Shulchan Aruch or Aggados Chazal or stories of tzaddikim—one should not become discouraged. Always remember: 'Tovah haaretz meod meod' ("The land is very very good"). If one is not fazed by all these difficulties and behaves as a Jew should, one can thereby fulfill Hashem's will just as with Torah study in the desert—and when done with joy it is even more precious.

I ask you to convey greetings to all those participating in these shiurim. May Hashem grant that learning these shiurim should be successful and bring Jewish warmth into their homes.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that sincere Torah study and mitzvah observance—even if simple or limited by circumstance—are deeply valued by G‑d when performed wholeheartedly and with joy. We must never underestimate our efforts during challenging times; every act counts greatly.