1766 —פעולות חב"ד בארץ ישראל בצומת דרכים

B"H, 10 Menachem Av 5712.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letters from the 24th of Sivan, the 8th of Tammuz, two letters from the 16th of Tammuz, and detailed reports from the meetings on the 10th and 13th of Tammuz. It is surprising that there are no detailed reports from other meetings which, according to plan, should be held every week. Perhaps this order was interrupted because of the summer...

In general, Chabad activities in Eretz Yisrael currently stand at a crossroads; that is, there is a choice whether to continue as things have been in recent years—meaning: if it works out, fine; if it pays off, fine; and if not—it also doesn't matter, and perhaps even better—or to base the work on a proper foundation with appropriate development and expansion both internally and externally.

It is self-evident that following the first approach does not rule out the possibility that later one might adopt the second approach. Furthermore, in such a case one does not take upon oneself any responsibility: he did not commit at all or take anything upon himself; on the contrary—for every action, even the smallest one—he receives thanks both in this world and in the World to Come. In contrast, when one chooses the second path, he takes upon himself great responsibility both internally and externally. Then one also rules out the possibility of later reverting to the first approach.

But it is also clear that it is impossible to know in advance whether later there will be the same ability and opportunity to develop Chabad activities in Eretz Yisrael as there are now—and even now they are less than they were last year.

Therefore I asked RMG shiyichyeh to organize a meeting—not for campaigning but simply to convey my above perspective regarding how Chabad activities should be conducted in Eretz Yisrael—and to suggest that each individual inform me of his opinion: whether he holds by the first approach (in which case it is self-understood that either he will notify me accordingly or those who do not respond at all must be counted among those holding by the first approach or those who do not wish to participate in Chabad activities in Eretz Yisrael at all), or those truly connected to the activities of my father-in-law, the Rebbe (of blessed memory), who therefore desire their development and are prepared to dedicate a certain portion of all they possess—their money, their bodies, even their souls—should also inform me.

Then I will know whether I am able to proceed with an expanded work plan for Eretz Yisrael or whether we have not yet merited this.

Once again I emphasize that each person should respond individually for himself and in a separate envelope so there will be no element of coercion, embarrassment or shame etc., since this matter is extremely serious—as mentioned above: one must invest not only money and body but also soul. By writing in this manner there will be no room later for excuses (even before oneself) as happened with other matters where people signed publicly and then excused themselves afterward (whether between themselves or between themselves and their Creator or between themselves and their friends): "What could he have done? It would not have been appropriate not to sign—but he does not actually support it..."

May it be G‑d's will that each one of us merit to fulfill his mission with joy, expansiveness, peace of mind and body.

Summary

The Rebbe urges honest self-assessment regarding commitment to Chabad's mission in Eretz Yisrael. He emphasizes personal responsibility over passive involvement so future growth can be built on genuine dedication rather than habit or social pressure.