1549 —השכר האמיתי של מצוה ושאלת איכה

B"H, 6 Iyar 5712. Brooklyn.

Harav Hachassid vavac"h iy"a nu"n involved in tzt"z etc. Moreinu Harav Shemaryahu Gurary

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With thanks, I acknowledge receipt of your letter from 27 Nissan and the two previous ones. Surely it is unnecessary to elaborate on expressing gratitude, as per the Mishnah: 'The reward for a mitzvah is the mitzvah itself,' meaning that in performing a good deed, the greatest reward is the good deed itself, for through this one connects with the Commander, the One Who desires, which is higher than any reward in Gan Eden or the World to Come, etc., as per the saying of Admor HaZaken on the verse 'Mi li bashamayim...' (Who do I have in heaven...)—'Ich vil mer nit az dich alein' (I want nothing but You alone) (see Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefillah ch. 40)...

My hope is that in a few weeks, the Avrech Harav Hagaon Harav Hachassid etc. Moreinu Harav Shalom Hasskind will visit Eretz HaKodesh, and I am writing this accordingly—in continuation to our conversation when you were here, and as a response to your letter to R. M.C.H.

It is somewhat surprising that regarding what I raised about Chassidus pamphlets found in Eretz HaKodesh, so far there has been no visible result.

During your extended stay here, many matters were discussed, but not about the main issue—the question: 'Ayeka?' It is known that Admor HaZaken answered the minister who asked him about these words and explained that this is G‑d's question to every person: Where are you? What is happening with you? Surely all your good activities—in Aguch matters, yeshivos, Kfar Chabad etc.—are important. But afterwards Scripture commands: 'Do not ignore your own flesh,' meaning everyone must also remember themselves. The question remains: Ayeka? Reb Shemaryahu (with all aforementioned titles at the start of this letter—and if he deserves more titles then all the better—but after all this, the question remains): Ayeka? What is happening with your learning of Chassidus and Nigleh etc.?

Blessings for proper health for your wife, for you and all your family; much Chassidishe nachas from yourself and from all your family.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true mitzvah reward lies in connecting to G‑d Himself through action. He urges honest self-reflection—asking oneself 'Ayeka?'—and reminds us that personal spiritual growth must accompany communal achievements.