574 —הפצת חסידות, תכונות הנהגה, וצמיחה אישית

B"H, 25 Adar, 5710.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Enclosed is the kuntres for the upcoming second of Nissan, to merit the many with it. Surely you have also merited them with the Purim kuntres sent previously, as the merit of the many depends on you. As explained in the maamar in chapter 19 of the kuntres: "Delivering the treasury is specifically through ministers and officials, but the inner intent is with men of valor, through whom actual victory comes." Additionally, in our context: besides the fact that the minister gives over the treasury to the man of valor, he himself can and should also be a man of valor. In the analogy they are two separate people—more than that, they are even different types: a minister (who is inherently suited for this), an official (elevated by appointment), or a man of valor. But in the nimshal—as explained there in chapter 20—it is possible for one person to be both a minister and an official as well as a simple man of valor. Moreover, it is necessary that every single Jew will ultimately reach having both qualities together: those of a minister and official (understanding and outreach), and those of a man of valor (acceptance of yoke and self-nullification), as explained elsewhere.

And one should not say: how is this possible—these are two opposites in one subject? For just as with the Creator—in His place of greatness there you find His humility—so too with a created being it is ruled that in proportion to one's greatest exaltedness (a king), so must be his utmost self-nullification. As Rambam writes (Laws of Kings ch.2 halacha 6): Just as Scripture apportioned him great honor and obligated all to honor him, so did it command him to keep his heart lowly and empty within himself. And our Sages said (Berachos 34a): An ordinary person bows at beginning and end; a kohen gadol at every blessing; a king—once he bows he does not straighten up again.

This can be seen tangibly—even to physical eyes—in the leaders of Chassidus: from the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbeinu HaZaken who founded general Chassidus and Chabad Chassidus and spread them; leaders of Israel who also strove to do acts of kindness with their money, bodies, and souls even for simple people—and up to our Rebbe Rayatz z"l who spreads forth the wellsprings of Chassidus outward with ever-increasing strength and cares for even small children among Israel.

What they do—they command and demand from all their followers: to be ministers and officials—to engage in learning Chassidus, spreading it, influencing one's surroundings in strengthening Torah and Judaism—and at once to be men of valor: practical people acting with acceptance of yoke.

On Beis Nissan—the yahrzeit day of Rebbe Rashab z"l and day when Rebbe Rayatz z"l assumed leadership—is an especially auspicious time for each person to accept upon themselves to follow their ways throughout the year. According to their assurance—written and oral—this becomes a vessel for receiving their blessings materially and spiritually.

M. Schneerson

* * *

Your letter from 9 Adar reached me; I fulfilled your request to read your list of students, your arrangement for thirty [days] which you set up, as well as your pan while at the Ohel. As requested your list remains with me.

Signed with wishes for a kosher Pesach for him and his entire group.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true Jewish leadership combines outreach with humility. Every Jew should strive to spread Torah while acting with self-nullification; this dual approach draws down blessings both materially and spiritually.