208 —הדפסה, הפצת ספרים, ותפקיד יוסף הצדיק

B"H, Thursday, the 5th of Shevat, 5706.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letters: a) Matters of printing and the maamarim have long been sent to Shanghai from the yeshivah, and we sent books from those sections that were not sent from Tomchei Tmimim; b) I also heard that several books were printed there, and it is surprising that throughout all this time they did not send even a single sample copy—except for a collection of talks of my revered father-in-law the Rebbe (may he live), which was received as a single copy by my revered father-in-law about two years ago, I believe; c) The transcript from Yud-Tes Kislev was taken by my revered father-in-law the Rebbe (may he live), and he will return it with additions and changes in the near future—so he said; d) Regarding its printing, he instructed me that it is proper to print together the discourses from Chai Elul through Yud-Tes Kislev ("And it is a pity that the listeners did not grasp the connection between Chai Elul and Yud-Tes Kislev that has now been revealed to them according to its importance"—so said my revered father-in-law), but for now he has not yet given any of the notes even though most are already finished; e) Regarding the expenses for printing these talks, I have not yet received anything from Harav Margoliot except for words even though he assures me with certainty; f) If you have comments on Kuntres Toras HaChassidus why do you not write them to me? g) Your suggestion that Anash, Tmimim etc. record their memories from earlier days—my revered father-in-law has already encouraged this several times; how many responded to his request? And who is greater than this—that for three years I have spoken with the Tmimim in Montreal about recording events from 5700 (1940), and aside from a few pages you sent me (I believe more than two years ago), I have not merited to see even one line of these notes!! h) Tzt"z Kuntres Mem-Chet "Mayim Rabim" is still not finished and when it is published it will be sent to you as requested; i) The lack of my letters is due to many preoccupations especially regarding printing matters—and your complaint against me is unfounded. To give an idea of this work: recently I had to edit (besides Kuntres Mem-Zayin and especially its supplement and "Shmuessen/Talks") a booklet about Purim and Pesach in French (like that of Tishrei), a Purim collection in English, part one of "Our People" in English, final editing of "Mayim Rabim"—in the middle of editing: supplements for tzt"z (including 125 responsa and over one hundred pages of novellae on Shas—all besides compiling indexes etc.), Kuntres tzt"z veHaHaskalah, collection of talks by my revered father-in-law (over three hundred pages mimeographed—in early editing: Sefer Maamarei Yilamdeinu Rabbeinu, Kuntres Etz Chaim, Kuntres about Admor Maharash (collection of talks and list of his maamarim), talks by Admor shlita Shnas Torah until Rosh Hashanah 5701 (for Dalfon), Sefer Maamarei my revered father-in-law shlita (Shnas Torah–5702), Sefer Responsa Bein Rav uTalmido b'Dat Yisrael uMinhagav in English, abridged Shulchan Aruch for youth in English—and more. And if you consider that besides all this there is work regarding Melach Mifal HaChinuch v'Kehot besides publishing—hopefully many questions you may have will resolve themselves. And what happens here at the central place—what happens at the periphery?

It is known that all exiles have their root in Egypt's exile; thus its parallel exists in all exiles especially in this last exile (whose purpose is "and they emptied out Egypt," which was done then only in Eretz Mitzrayim but now applies generally outside Israel). The hardship of exile is sweetened through Yosef HaTzaddik's preparations and actions—for truly only he provides sustenance for all the land. His general action is "Vayilkot Yosef et kol hakesef... vayatmin oto" (Pesachim 119a)—and obviously his intent was not for it to remain hidden as if nonexistent but rather everything goes toward one goal: Yosef's mission—he was named Yosef because "Yosef li ben acher," meaning even an "acher" becomes a son (see Ohr HaTorah on Ben Porat at length). This action occurs through three treasuries (Pesachim ibid.), three modes: a) blessing—which means blessing in money and love as known from Birkat Kohanim brought into halacha—in material abundance wealth and honor; this refers to what was revealed to Korach (Ohr HaTorah end Vayigash); b) those who do not observe Torah and mitzvot are made baalei teshuvah—even elevating converts—which refers to what was revealed to Antoninus; c) among those who observe Torah and mitzvot there is elevation in their Divine service—this refers to the treasury revealed to tzaddikim. It is understood that the first two modes apply most now—in this world within this world—and mode three applies in Olam Haba within this world especially regarding returning tzaddikim through teshuvah—as concluded there in Shas—that it will be revealed in time-to-come.

It goes without saying that every one who is connected or related to Yosef HaTzaddik must become a conduit—or at least help prepare his environment—to be ready vessels for receiving Yosef's directives and influences until complete redemption speedily through Hashem Himself as described as "Yosef," as cited in Shaar Hakavanos quoted in Ohr HaTorah on Vayiten et Koloh.

Summary

The Rebbe addresses practical concerns about book distribution while highlighting how each person can serve as a channel for spiritual influence like Yosef HaTzaddik. By preparing ourselves and our surroundings as vessels for positive influence, we hasten redemption.