508 —על הדפסת המשך תער"ב, תמונות, וביקורת בונה

B"H, 25 Tammuz, 5709.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 14th of Tammuz:

a) We sent some of our publications with Reb Avraham sheyichyeh Paris, and surely he still has some copies of the Kitzurim and notes on Tanya you asked about. If not, let me know and we will send them from here. He also has a catalog of our publications and what is available for sale.

b) Regarding Hemshach Ta'arav: I have already written—and also informed others among Anash—that I have permission to print it. However, funds are needed in advance for this project, at least part of them, since this is not a book that will sell in large numbers as is obvious. To my knowledge, no one has done anything about this since I began speaking about it four or five years ago.

c) Regarding the letter about the photographs: The letter was enclosed in my letter to Haraha"ch sheyichyeh. If what was written there—that it was according to instruction—was not true, obviously I would not have sent it. And if he knew Rabbi Chadakov at all there would be no doubt that he is not associated with falsehood or exaggeration.

d) Regarding the matter itself: I am surprised at all the commotion. The letter is addressed to those who are connected—meaning those who turn from time to time for advice and blessings for themselves and their wives, sons and daughters—and sometimes share details of their situation. This behavior is well known to all; on the contrary, it is commonly valued that someone lacking this connection is also lacking in his own connection.

e) Perhaps you mean: why introduce photography into Lubavitch? I recall hearing stories that in earlier times a shochet was dismissed from his post—and rightly so—for wearing galoshes; now even elder Chassidim wear galoshes and rightly so.

f) Regarding the claim "What will Polish Chassidim say?": Surely you also realize that these Polish and Hungarian Chassidim who would loudly question such things already speak this way regardless—because of rivalry among students—and such matters do not require much explanation. I am not entering here into the halachic or extra-legal aspects of taking photos; I only wish to point out that among all my acquaintances I do not know anyone who does not have a photo of himself or his family willingly—not by government compulsion—and most even enjoy it.

g) Another point could be raised: What benefit is there in these photos that justifies all this debate? But it seems clear even to people like us that not only does it strengthen feelings of friendship or connection for one who has the photo but also brings closeness for the sender when he remembers his photo is with his friend—certainly so in our case. It has already been seen here how knowledge that the Rebbe wants their family photos as a remembrance has affected various circles of those connected—this is my assumption since I did not ask for the reason behind the instruction.

h) Even if your concerns were justified—that an outstanding Chassid might be harmed by this knowledge or instruction—two approaches are known: (1) If something suits one outstanding person but does not suit ten thousand fools...I would not feel bad for that large group but would want to save the one outstanding individual (see introduction to Moreh Nevuchim); (2) A wise man or servant—it is worthwhile for him to be a wagon driver for years just to do a personal favor for one person (see introduction to Pokeach Ivrim printed here). All the more so since as above (in section g), this has had an effect on many people; especially since even in approach (1), there is a condition that if another solution can be found as above.

i) After elaborating on all the above and at your request for a prompt reply—I will add my own two lines: Gevald Reb...! How much energy goes into criticism—and especially into "holy criticism"! Even if you are right in all your letters and demands—it remains only negativity; why not invest your energies positively—in building Chabad activities in your community, synagogue, city etc.? The general rule: "A positive commandment overrides a prohibition," with all its explanations. I suppose you have complaints etc.—but even those are still negative; even an unavoidable circumstance which exempts someone from responsibility does not mean he actually did something; and even if we say he did—it applies only to him but those who could have received from him get nothing.

j) And let it be known: Despite what I've written above—even now as when we met—I do not take pleasure in public activism nor can I inspire others' enthusiasm for activism; but with you it's just the opposite! Are you really content tending others' vineyards? Surely you agree our vineyard is no worse than theirs—on the contrary! And we are assured that ultimately "Didan Notzach" (victory will be ours) and "Yafutzu Maayanosecha Chutzah" (your wellsprings will spread outward)—and all this will happen through people like us from our generation before Moshiach's coming.

Summary

The Rebbe urges channeling energy toward positive action rather than criticism. He addresses practical questions about publishing chassidic works and using photographs among Chassidim while emphasizing unity and constructive involvement in communal life.