689 —השפעת הסביבה והפיכה למשפיע

B"H, 23 Menachem Av, Hashem yisborach, vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Mehor"d sheyichyeh

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Erev Shabbos Kodesh Nachamu, which brings the good news about your successful integration into a fitting position: Thank G‑d for this good news, and may Hashem grant you to always share only good tidings—both regarding your personal matters and your environment.

The Rambam rules (Hilchos Deos 6:1) that it is human nature for a person to be drawn in his opinions and actions after his friends and companions, etc. Therefore, one must connect with the righteous and sit among the wise, etc.

However, this refers to the essence of a person as a recipient—which is only the beginning. Immediately afterward, one must also become a mashpia (influencer), as demanded by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m in his talk published in the kuntres [12th] of Tammuz Hashem yisborach section ^[3]: "Zehat lebt alein un macht leben andereh" (One should not only live oneself but also give life to others).

And since this is demanded of us, we are certainly given the ability to do so. When there is also the will, each of us will illuminate our surroundings—since there is no light except Torah and mitzvos—as it is written: "Ki ner mitzvah v'Torah or" (For a mitzvah is a lamp and Torah is light).

With blessing and regards.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while we are shaped by our environment, we are also empowered—and expected—to positively influence those around us through Torah and mitzvos. Every Jew can bring light to their surroundings by becoming both a recipient and an influencer.