1481 —אחריות חסידי חב"ד והימנעות מוויכוחים חסרי תועלת

B"H, 3rd of Nissan, 5712.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

...It has already been some time since I wrote that it is not my nature to give words of rebuke, especially not to people living in the Land upon which the eyes of Hashem are from the beginning of the year to its end; therefore, whether they wish it or not, they have no ruler over them except for the Holy One, blessed be He Himself. Nevertheless, necessity is not to be condemned, so I will write briefly. The matter is this: whether we want it or not, we are filling the place of Chabad chassidim from previous generations and before them—up to the generation of knowledge of the chassidim of our Rebbe the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad teachings. Generation after generation paved the way for us, and all that remains for us is to complete the "small jugs." On the other hand, upon us and our generation lies the duty to finish the clarifications of Ikvesa d'Ikvesa d'Meshicha (the footsteps at the very end before Mashiach) and to draw down the revelation of Mashiach below ten handbreadths in this physical world. Even a brief contemplation on these matters should bring one to trembling and awe: all those awesome things mentioned by our Sages regarding Mashiach and his revelation—especially as explained in Chassidus—depend on our own service. And afterwards... one excuses oneself... everyone thinks about their own matters... The inner nature of such claims is self-evident.

To avoid any misunderstanding in this regard: one should imagine if a friend were to make such claims against him—how would he accept them? Accordingly, based on Torah law "as water reflects a face..." (i.e., one's attitude is reflected back), it can be assumed that their friends receive their responses in exactly this way as well.

This could be elaborated at length; who can say if someone were to bring them a parable from the Dubner Maggid—surely he would also find an appropriate parable and maybe it would be accepted—but it's a pity for both their time and mine on arguments and debates of this kind. The main thing is that every moment in our times is extremely precious, and every moment spent on debates among themselves about who has fulfilled what or who is greater in Torah, service, or acts of kindness—I do not know who benefits from all these discussions.

Practically speaking: let them approach their work in actual deed. If there is no other choice, let them decide themselves that they are absolutely right—but since they were educated in the light of Chassidus, Hashem has granted each one a sense for actual self-sacrifice for another's benefit. Therefore they overlook their own traits and do everything for their fellows...

I apologize if I may have offended anyone's honor; but truth remains truth—whether or not someone's honor is affected by it.

With blessings for success in your holy work. May Hashem grant you merit so you fulfill—not only with G‑dly intellect but also with human intellect which Hashem has granted you—to be among those who assist and participate in the work of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, in building the Chabad center in Eretz HaKodesh (the Holy Land), may it be rebuilt soon.

Awaiting good news and joyous occasions.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every moment should be used productively toward our spiritual mission rather than wasted on disputes. We must act with unity and self-sacrifice for others’ benefit while recognizing our responsibility as inheritors of previous generations’ legacy.