1361 —הבהרה על מכתב קודם, אמונה בצדיקים, וכוח לימוד התורה

B"H, 23rd of Teves, 5712.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter from the 18th of Teves as well as the previous one and the enclosed pan. I read it at the resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, and without a doubt he will arouse mercy for you for proper health.

Regarding what you wrote that perhaps you caused displeasure in your previous letter by expressing dissatisfaction with the wording of my response—G‑d forbid, there is absolutely no displeasure here at all. However, there was a slight sense of discouragement because my intention in my response was actually the opposite of how you interpreted it. As I wrote explicitly about the great power of tzaddikim's assurances—that it was clear to me that their promises must ultimately be fulfilled. Therefore, all that remained for you was to decide for yourself—af paskenen ba zich—in absolute certainty that, as Rabbi R.Y.M. z"l from Poltava would say: "This is how it is." But since you interpreted my wording differently, I too am perplexed about what more I can answer you. As is known from the saying of my revered ancestor Maharash n"a: "Letters reach the yechidah (the innermost soul)," and from my revered father-in-law: "Sometimes one answers whatever comes naturally," and from chassidic tradition: "The answer received by a person depends on how he interprets it," especially if he is a person with his own form and stands firm in his opinion—as stated in Mishnah (beginning of Horayos): "This is the rule: one who attributes things to himself..." In any case, regarding your request for forgiveness in your letter—there is absolutely no need for this at all; certainly there is no issue here of delay G‑d forbid. And if delays were rejected at all times, then especially in our days—the footsteps of Mashiach—when closeness and unity are paramount. As tzt"z said: "When chassidim are united with their unity they will go to greet Mashiach."

I was pleased to hear through Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n involved with tzt"z etc. Moreinu Harav Ben Tzion Shem Tov about your public teaching activities. He also complained to me that he noticed some discouragement in you. Please reflect on the greatness of what has been entrusted to us by our leaders zatzal—and therefore who can compare or equal us since such a mission rests upon us? This is somewhat similar to what Rashbi said: "Ana simana be'alma (I am but a sign in this world)," and as explained in Chassidus: since he had no independent existence he could say so because it was not him but rather his Master speaking through him.

I have seen people who have ascended spiritually—and they are few—and although who can guarantee himself? Nevertheless, since every chassid contains within him the power of the Rebbe—even if only concealed—it exists as it should be; and within a chassid this concealment actually exists tangibly and moreover is close to being revealed. Therefore there should be no lack of expansiveness; we must only ask Hashem to use this (to utilize it) as needed and where needed—especially regarding Torah study.

As is known regarding the difference between Torah and prayer: prayer—especially weekday prayer—is an ascent from below upward, from distress; whereas Torah—especially Chassidus which is called Ilana DeChayei (the Tree of Life)—is from above downward and with expansiveness.

Blessings for proper health and good news soon among all matters generally and regarding your health specifically.

Enclosed is a general letter connected with Yud-Tes Kislev—the festival of festivals.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies his intentions regarding earlier correspondence, stresses unwavering faith in tzaddikim's words, encourages self-reflection on one's unique mission from our leaders, and highlights both unity among chassidim and expansive engagement in Torah study as essential strengths.