323 —הוצאת ספרי רבותינו, קבלת ספרים, ותפקיד הגוף בעבודה

B"H, Hillula d'Ahaz, 5708.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch iy"a nu"m etc. Harav A. Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter has been received. Of course, it is appropriate that during these times there should be frequent letters informing us of your good wellbeing, to your brother-in-law as well, etc., and thereby it will also reach us.

It is surprising that during all this time neither you nor your brother-in-law Harav M.G. have informed us about your decision regarding the publication of Sifrei Raboseinu. Perhaps the general situation caused this. And perhaps now is precisely the right time to take upon yourself such a matter.

The books you ordered have been sent and surely you will confirm their receipt as soon as they arrive. The completion of the Torah has not yet been done. Enclosed is a kuntres from my father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, and surely you will merit to benefit the many with it.

To conclude with a matter related to the day: Our Sages said (Megillah 13a) "Tevet is a month in which the body benefits from the body." It is known that Esther refers to Knesses Yisrael, and in Midrash (cited in the maamar 'BaLayla HaHu' Shabbos Torah) Achashverosh refers to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Accordingly, we can explain that 'the body,' a term often used by our Sages for 'gufei Torah'—meaning essence and core (see Likkutei Torah Lag BaOmer at its beginning)—the Essence of G-d Himself so to speak derives pleasure from 'the body,' meaning the essential point within each person—the yechidah of the soul—through the physical body itself; through service with and within the body. As will be revealed in the future even to us—that the soul will receive from the body.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed—and as he explained on the verse 'Ki Tireh Chamor' (as brought in Hayom Yom p. 23)—that it must be in a manner of "benefit." The Alter Rebbe deepened this concept in Chassidus—to bring vitality into everything (see tzt"z's response; Hayom Yom 24 Tevet)—that even what is dead within the body—Chabad intellect, a cold and unexcited mind (see Rashi on Megillah there: because of coldness)—should be transformed to excitement from Divine comprehension (see Kuntres Toras HaChassidus ch. 84).

Summary

The Rebbe urges regular communication and involvement in publishing holy works despite challenges. He teaches that true Divine pleasure comes when one's essential soul-point expresses itself through physical action—transforming even cold intellect into passionate Avodah.