445 —אחריות להפצת חסידות והשפעה אישית בצרפת

B"H, fifteenth of Shevat, 5709, Rosh HaShanah for trees, HaAdam Etz HaSadeh (man is like a tree in the field).

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Mehorash"ch.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 18th of Teves (with notes), which was received after some delay:

a) Thank you for informing me with good news about your daughter's engagement. May it be G‑d's will that everything proceed with goodness and blessing in every detail. Good news (the mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael) brings more good news—may you soon share news of the wedding for a mazal tov and an everlasting edifice, as explained in all interpretations that "all are connected to the level of Kesser, the crown placed on him on his wedding day": Adi and Keshet (which can be understood as material expansion—ample sustenance), eternity (which can be understood as children), interruption—as in "until here you shall come," which includes both: not including "ad," the lowest level in Atzilus, with "ad" included—the root of the emanated beings (which can be understood as life; only Israel are called alive, as it says: "And you who cleave to Hashem your G‑d are all alive today." As our Sages say in Avos D'Rabbi Nosson ch. 34: He is alive but not among the living; only this is the source of life for the root of emanated beings. And see Rambam as explained in Chassidus: Hashem is true existence; His essence is Elokim Chaim)—for children, life, and sustenance depend on mazal. See Likkutei Torah Biur D'Eileh Pekudei ch. 4, Maamar Mizmor Shir Chanukas (the second) end; Maamar Shuvah 5666; Chanuch L'Na'ar Adna"a p.38.

b) Enclosed is a booklet just published—to merit the public.

c) I placed your notes in the room of my father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita; afterwards they went to the Vaad Nefneh. I also conveyed your requests regarding personal resolutions you asked for. Surely they have already been sent to you—please confirm receipt.

d) Your remittance (in your letter from 25 Iyar)—five shekels for letters for the Sefer Torah and accordingly for siddurim—was received on time. Perhaps my confirmation letter was lost regarding this matter; if you have not received it or notification about which letters were assigned to you—please let me know...

e) Regarding what you wrote about the impossibility of working in outreach among city residents (except Anash and Temimim), explaining this with several reasons: Two and a half lines earlier you wrote that "Anash are connected with all their heart and soul even to actual mesirus nefesh—and if told to crawl into a hole they would do so." I recommend upon him our Sages' saying: "How little does a person realize when his Master helps him," because apparently he does not even suspect there might be any contradiction between his introduction and conclusion! For from experience everywhere outreach has been done in recent years (USA, Canada, South America, South Africa etc.), results were achieved—even if not equally everywhere—and those involved did not need actual mesirus nefesh or even crawling into holes. Moreover, their own situation improved materially and their honor increased among those they worked with; ultimately it became clear they were receivers rather than givers—even materially and financially. In their country now, according to his explanation in his letter, actual mesirus nefesh is ready at hand—and certainly includes giving over one's will, intellect, and judgment...

Let it be known: What I write here is not directed at any individual—for who am I to rule that specifically so-and-so must take on a certain task? My words are directed at them collectively; without doubt they possess all necessary qualities for fulfilling their main mission now: spreading the teachings of Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe among Jews outside Chabad circles in France. There is only one channel through which these teachings flow—the Rebbe shlita my father-in-law—and by connecting physically (so one can acquire life for his vital soul) and spiritually with this channel—even ordinary water becomes living water. This is according to Torah law which governs nature simply and everywhere.

You wrote in your letter (and apparently from lack of activity this is also Anash's decision in our camp) coldly decreeing that all Jews in our camp—except those living in your neighborhood—have no connection to any of this! Let them call an assembly of all Anash and make an honest accounting how much effort was made to win souls—and then all debate will be unnecessary because immediately it will become clear why there are no results.

A single Avrech who had to flee his place—not connected with prayer service nor scholar nor worker nor even with a beard etc., never studied either Torah or yeshiva at all—wandered far away both geographically and Jewishly; after some time letters began arriving from men and women there addressed to my father-in-law Rebbe shlita. For example—a businesswoman offered a store/apartment lease choice between two parts of town; she asked for guidance from my father-in-law Rebbe shlita what she should do—she had never seen him nor had he ever been in her city or country; she was not Anash nor apparently descended from Anash—but when she heard from this Avrech words spoken sincerely—that there is a Rebbe in Israel who transcends natural limitations—and whoever wants sure guidance—in business or home management etc.—should not act without asking the Rebbe's advice—and she recognized truthfulness because sincerity shows itself—she instructed him to write her question accordingly; thus she became connected with outreach work and drew closer to Judaism—and surely soon her home will observe kashrus/family purity etc.

These are outcomes from actions by a simple Avrech who did all this not out of self-sacrifice or acceptance-of-the-yoke but because it was not against logic—not even against human logic! Think about it: It was obvious based on what he saw firsthand—that when one followed what the Rebbe said things went well; when one did not follow there was loss! Therefore just as he would unashamedly give anyone needing medical help an expert doctor's address—so too when seeing someone confused or facing major life decisions he tells them: Israel is never orphaned G‑d forbid—you have whom to ask! Not only does he wait until someone comes asking if there is a Rebbe—for usually people don't even know what that means—but he goes out himself explaining that one should rely neither on one's own understanding nor matchmaker nor doctor nor broker—all these are uncertain—but there is a sure way out of doubts! Our Sages said: Words coming from the heart enter another's heart.

Now regarding your letter's subject: In our camp we have elite Anash who saw Adna"a [the Previous Rebbe], may we distinguish between life and eternal life—the Rebbe shlita my father-in-law—they were tested through hardship/various trials—they engage intellectually/in service etc.—they started out at camp among thousands thirsty for warm/living words—for inspiration/closeness—the youth especially sought guidance: Where is Moshe who will lead us out of Egypt/boundaries/show us life's path? The question: How many souls were added through their efforts/struggles—to Baal Shem Tov/Alter Rebbe's teachings during their time at camp?

I wrote then to Anash's largest camp suggesting they hold spiritual gatherings among everyone present especially youth (as I thought material involvement wasn't needed at conquest's start). They replied it's certainly good but first need budget assurance for expenses—and generally best begun once all Anash return rested then go back as needed working there with self-sacrifice! When I urged again via someone traveling—they chose apparently a committee—and that's where things ended—the 'results' are known—Anash exhausted themselves—it seems others exhausted themselves too—it was pitiful: effort without outcome—they brought them back home... maybe something would come out.

Now—the whole cycle repeats itself (actually reversed): Over a year they've been here now—what has actually been accomplished spiritually/physically in Paris/surroundings? When I was last in Paris over a year ago I spoke several times until finally they decided (apparently out of respect) that Vaad Nefneh would also work among city residents—with suitable people reaching out especially distant ones etc.—from time to time I checked progress—I found... nothing being done—not spiritually nor materially—the two halves must always go together except rare cases—they exist/succeed only together!

I too would rejoice if finally someone informed me—even if some details unknown—that tens were not only inspired/gave donations but also received Chassidus/become Chassidim or at least somewhat connected! But I see from your letter that such work seems completely dismissed by them. Of course maintaining one's own four cubits requires constant effort—but even guarding the Beis HaMikdash was only one job—not every Kohen did it!

If someone meets another Jew telling him there's an outstanding tzaddik thousands of miles away whom he doesn't know/has no connection except high spiritual status—it'll seem like fantasy! On the other hand anyone truly believing—with faith guiding all faculties—that advice/blessing from tzaddik rules everything—and knows his friend faces crucial issues like children/life/sustenance—or danger G‑d forbid—from Ahavas Yisrael/pikuach nefesh etc.—if there's any hope/chance he'll listen—he must pursue him urging mercy on himself/family/all that's his—not rely on own understanding—study Chassidus/connect with tzaddik/do as he says then succeed!

The Alter Rebbe's assurance is well-known—that whatever Chassidim do they'll succeed! Lack of precedent isn't proof otherwise except regarding regular matters (see Shach/Alter Rebbe Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 261). I've seen many letters sent here from your camp—but never saw one saying its writer became close to Chabad due to influence by local Anash!

They come into contact with hundreds/thousands locally—as Rambam says about speech—they converse at length/briefly—with how many did anyone ask about surgery/shidduch/blessing for Rosh Hashanah etc.? If they'd simply tell them what Lubavitcher Rebbe means—a story even without explanation—then next time share some talks/guidance—in time many souls—themselves/their descendants forever—would connect via Tree of Life—increase light at home—become Moshe's people (see maamar Vayavo Amalek booklet enclosed—even though Tanya/Torah Or explain 'Moshe's people' as bittul—in this booklet it's attachment to rebbe—the extension-of-Moshe each generation—which isn't explained explicitly elsewhere)—become supporters upholding institutions wholeheartedly—not just out of respect!

Instead each turns toward his own institution/business—each reassures himself by generously supporting outreach justifying themselves since actual mesirus nefesh exists ready-to-hand per your words—but apparently work hasn't started yet! This pattern continues over a year now—in an Anash group numbering many tens whom Adna"a called 'lamps to illuminate.' As my father-in-law said—in darkness when you set up a lantern people gather around naturally!

Is it really your view that Paris/surroundings' Jews themselves are preventing progress?! Jokingly I said—the whole terrible exile came through breaking tablets—for otherwise we'd have freedom ('charut' = engraved = freedom)—the cause was Golden Calf sin returning impurity—from Adam's sin—which according to Chassidus came via moon's diminishment—which came via chaos—which came via tzimtzum/contraction! What is tzimtzum? The light doesn't go outward—it stays within its own letters but doesn't spread further (see Likkutei Torah end Vayikra Maamar Lehavin Mah Shekasuv BeOtzech ch.5).

I repeat again—I mean no individual G‑d forbid but rather everyone collectively—you'll surely show my letter wherever useful—and needless to say it's just discussion between us personally—not G‑d forbid intending any discord like 'Yosef brought evil report...' Surely many will say 'Who appointed you... remove what's between your eyes,' etc.—and they'd be right arguing against me—but none changes reality or totals! It's unfortunate time passes/lost irretrievably.

I hope you won't take offense—even mentally—from this letter.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every individual has responsibility for spreading Chassidus beyond their immediate circle. Even simple acts can inspire others deeply when done sincerely. True connection with tzaddikim brings blessing both spiritually and materially; excuses should never prevent outreach efforts.