579 —אמונה, הוראת תורה, וכוח ההתקשרות לרבי

B"H, 10th of Nissan, 5710.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Moreinu HaRav Yosef.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

The kuntres for Beis Nissan surely arrived on time. Enclosed is the kuntres for the upcoming Pesach. With a good eye you have surely merited and will continue to merit those around you by sharing it with them and placing it before them, as our Sages said (Mechilta beginning of Parshas Mishpatim, cited in Rashi on the Torah there): "Do not think to say: I will study etc., but I will not trouble myself to understand its reasons and explanations; therefore it says etc., like a set table ready to eat before a person." And Scripture says: "VeTorasecha b’soch mei’ai" (And Your Torah is within my innards) (see Tanya ch. 5).

Just as in the analogy—so that eating is proper and beneficial it must serve its purpose: connecting soul and body and giving life—so too in the lesson: before the teacher or influencer must always be the goal of learning and influencing—their core foundation—to revive the dead and add essential vitality to a living person "meheichi teisi" (see sicha sec. 41).

It is obvious that in order to revive others one must be alive oneself. Here, though, the yetzer finds room for its enticements with the claim: who are you and what power do you have to revive souls? If only you could redeem yourself! My father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m explains in his sicha (sec. 43): although this is true—it is out of place... What can a soldier do? He can only shoot and go with mesirus nefesh... with joy—and this makes him victorious. The man of valor does not make the rifle nor is it within his ability. He does not understand intellectually how a rifle shoots in particular or military tactics in general, but he gives over his soul and will to the commander of war and does so with joy—and then he specifically is victorious.

It is clear that all this is based on faith—the belief that at the head of all commanders stands the king and leader; in spiritual battle this means the Nasi (leader) of the generation. In our generation especially—this is my father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m—who assigned each of us a unique place on the battlefield against evil.

This faith also needs strengthening from time to time—a special awakening so it does not remain abstract but rules over all faculties—in thought, speech, action—in daily life. This comes through an arousal from Above during Pesach in general, especially through eating matzah—which is called "meichla d’mehemnusa" (bread of faith) (see sicha sec. 2). As explained at length in many places in Chassidus.

Among them—in Hemshech Vekacha 5637 end sec. 60—it’s written that within physical matzah rests G‑dliness itself, which nourishes even physical vitality. Therefore even physical life is then uplifted greatly; he adds that this applies not only on Pesach night but throughout all days of Pesach.

May Hashem grant us complete faith; may be fulfilled what was promised: "As in the days when you left Egypt," for by merit of faith our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt—may we see wonders speedily in our days.

With blessings for a kosher and joyous Pesach holiday,
M. Schneerson

* * *

Your letter from 9 Nissan was received. A brief answer regarding what you wrote can be found in my introductions to kuntreisim published after [the Previous Rebbe’s] passing as well as this letter—what seems proper nonetheless.

You ask: now it’s impossible to ask my father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m when there’s doubt about conduct—if one stands strong in his connection to him without paying attention to enticements of the yetzer hara—and sends his question to my father-in-law’s resting place—the Rebbe will find a way to answer him.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true influence comes from personal spiritual vitality rooted in faith and connection to one's leader. Even when direct guidance seems inaccessible, unwavering attachment brings answers—especially when strengthened through mitzvos like matzah during Pesach.