467 —על מילוי שליחותו והתפקיד האמיתי של שליח

B"H, 29 Adar, 5709.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Baruch Tzvi Shemtov

Shalom u'Vrachah!

My letter with the booklet for Purim surely arrived, and it is surprising that you have not yet confirmed receipt. Apparently, from your letters, you are still in Paris. Although it is difficult to say anything definitive from such a distance, nevertheless, it is regrettable and very puzzling about the time passing and not returning, while you are not in the place assigned to you by my father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, to be there as his emissary and representative.

Perhaps one could say it is like the story where the Maggid assigned each of his students unique spiritual tasks connected to different regions; but then it was spoken openly (in public), and everyone saw these were truly unique assignments. Now everything is clothed layer upon layer, so some mistakenly think the intention is only about collecting money (the kalashen).

But in truth, if the shaliach knows language and has an inner sense of connection and recognition until he knows and breaks his own existence and ego—that he is sent by the sender—then if for the sender it does not matter about involvement in collecting (as understood by the shaliach), why should it bother him? I do not write this as a sermon but to repeat what was said in the attached booklet (see page 283): every day is among those allotted to a person for serving G‑d.

It is known from our Sages that "the singer need not say he assists the gatekeeper," etc., because his service is specifically in his designated place. Enclosed are a booklet for Beis Nissan and a letter from Machane Yisrael; see its conclusion—that specifically this service is true greatness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that fulfilling one's mission with self-nullification—regardless of how minor or mundane it may seem—is true greatness. Every day and task assigned has divine purpose; being present where one was sent brings authentic spiritual accomplishment.