769 —כוח התשובה ויום הכיפורים

B"H, Eve of Shabbat Kodesh, Shabbat Teshuvah, 5711.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Mahar"y

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Herewith I am sending the kuntres for Shabbat Teshuvah – Yom Kippur that is approaching. Certainly you will share it with all those around you, and it would be good if people would gather together, etc. See in the places marked in the introduction to the kuntres where it explains the concept of higher teshuvah (in which lies the main virtue of baalei teshuvah as stated in Iggeres HaTeshuvah chapter 8), which is the gathering and uniting of all powers of the soul—teshuv anash (return of man). In these days it is also a gathering and uniting of all details of the complete stature of Bnei Yisrael: "your heads, your tribes... until your water drawer," as "and He became King in Yeshurun when the leaders of the people assembled together with the tribes of Israel." The greatness of higher teshuvah is especially prominent at this time.

For in the time when there was a Sanhedrin and those liable for capital punishment by Beit Din did teshuvah, Beit Din below would not forgive them; but now that only G‑d's four types of death remain and are given over to Beit Din above—if one does teshuvah, Beit Din above forgives him and there remains no trace from his earlier deeds (Makkos 13b; see also Shu"t Nodah BiYehudah Mahadura Kama Orach Chaim siman 35). And even though regarding Yom Kippur's atonement our Sages limited that for half a measure it does not atone, and some say that one who is liable for punishment but did not sin is not exempted from punishment by Yom Kippur (Kritot 18b Tosafot "dichanktei", ibid. 7a), nevertheless nothing stands before baalei teshuvah.

May it be G‑d's will that in each and every one of us be fulfilled the blessing of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m, who would customarily bless those who entered to him on Erev Yom Kippur after midday to request his blessing: "Der Oybershter zol me'orer zayn mit a hisorerus teshuvah amitis mitoch pnimiyus un nekudas halev" (May G‑d arouse within us a true awakening to repentance from innerness and from the point of the heart), and may we merit fulfillment of what is promised: "Yisrael—once they do teshuvah immediately they are redeemed."

Blessing you and being blessed for a sealing and final sealing for good,
Menachem Mendel ben Chana Schneerson

Your pan (petitionary note), as well as those from the students, I read on Erev Rosh Hashanah at the Tziyun (gravesite) and on Rosh Hashanah in the hall of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m.

I received your letter; meanwhile you have surely received my letter along with the kuntres for Rosh Hashanah. Regarding what you wrote about...—you should study Chassidus diligently, especially focusing on my revered father-in-law's Torah ^[2], and spreading this Torah—for then we all go on our Rebbe's shoulders, and he will do what needs to be done if something needs to be done.

Summary

This letter teaches that sincere teshuvah has unparalleled power to transform one's spiritual standing. The Rebbe encourages sharing these teachings widely and assures that heartfelt repentance brings forgiveness and redemption for all.