745 —לימוד מאחרים, הוראה, ודרך הגאולה

B"H, 17 Elul, Hashem Yisborach.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the first of Rosh Chodesh Elul, I was happy to hear that you have completed your studies, received your certificates, and settled into your profession. It is well known what the Rambam elaborates in Hilchos Deos regarding serving Hashem in all your ways—meaning that whatever one's path in life may be, one can certainly serve Hashem through it. Without a doubt, if one seeks diligently how to serve Hashem in this way, he will find the proper means.

You write that during your travels you met observant Jews and learned from them; this is very good indeed. As the Mishnah says: "Who is wise? One who learns from every person" (see in the memoirs of my father-in-law the Rebbe hk"m, as well as the Baal Shem Tov's explanation of this saying). However, this alone is not enough; every person must not only be a learner but also a teacher to others. This can take several forms: teaching literally—speaking with others and instructing them in proper conduct both between man and G‑d and between man and his fellow—or teaching by example through one's overall behavior and especially through Torah study and mitzvah observance. That is, when someone sees you behaving properly they will declare: "See so-and-so son of so-and-so who acts as a Jew should," and everyone should learn from his conduct.

I hope that over time this will also come—not only in the second way (by example), but also in addition to what you wrote about teaching at Sunday school and working at a religious organization—you will increase your direct influence on others by encouraging them toward Torah study with awe of Heaven and mitzvah observance.

You write that refining character traits is difficult for you; I do not fully understand what you mean—whether you refer to interpersonal traits or other matters. Surely next time you will clarify your words.

Regarding your wonder about world politics as related to the coming of Moshiach—you did not specify exactly what puzzles you. Surely you recall what we discussed when you were here: nothing was created by G‑d for naught—not even world events or our understanding of them. If it were relevant for a person's service of his Creator to know future events, there would be people engaged in prophecy so it would be easier for us to serve Him. Since there are no such people now, this itself shows we are expected to serve without knowing what will come.

I already stated my view two months ago: I do not think there will be war in the coming months; therefore people should not panic but rather focus on their own appropriate affairs—the main thing being fulfilling their soul's mission in this world through Torah study and mitzvah observance as explained in Chassidus.

One who has merited that the Rebbe—my father-in-law hk"m—entrusted him with a mission has thereby fulfilled his soul's purpose in this world as well.

Continuing our earlier conversation when you asked me several questions about Eretz Yisrael—it must now be clear to you as well how we see tangibly that G‑d strives to explain to Bnei Yisrael that this is not yet the long-awaited redemption. He does so kindly so we understand it is only partial salvation; for many reasons the true redemption prophesied by our prophets has not yet arrived—the one we pray for daily: "And to Jerusalem Your city...the offspring of David Your servant...may our eyes behold..." But before "to Jerusalem Your city," we say "and may we never be ashamed because we trusted in You," and before "may our eyes behold," we say "Merciful Father have mercy on us." This means redemption will come only from Hashem Himself and is connected with Torah and mitzvos—as explained many times by our Sages: Israel will be redeemed only through teshuvah; Israel will be redeemed only through tzedakah.

Every Jewish man and woman must know that with every good deed he or she does they bring closer the end—the end of exile and darkness—and hasten the complete true redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu. This is the only path to Israel's redemption—as Moshe Rabbeinu told all Israel over three thousand years ago (as written at length in Parshas Nitzavim [chapter 30] in Hashem's Torah).

As per your request I will mention you at the resting place of my father-in-law hk"m. You write you do not understand this practice—but even when eating or drinking or sleeping one does not always contemplate how it affects body or soul yet still does these things without understanding exactly how they work; so too here.

You write it seems like speaking to the dead (G‑d forbid) or directing thoughts toward another (G‑d forbid); surely you understand yourself this is not so—for it is agreed upon that Kalev ben Yefuneh as well as many Tannaim, Amoraim, and righteous people throughout generations did likewise.

Briefly addressing your question—even when people came to a Rebbe for blessing they did not come because of his physical qualities but because of his soul's greatness. Death applies only to bodies; souls are eternal—especially those of tzaddikim who are entirely unrelated to Gehinnom or Kaf HaKela etc.; death for them means ascent—a transition to a higher level—and they are not called dead at all (see Zohar vol. III p. 71).

You ask about directing one's thoughts toward another—in short: (a) The request is that due to his righteousness the tzaddik should advocate on behalf of the petitioner before G‑d; (b) Additionally every chassid whose soul is bound up with that of his Rebbe—the Rebbe's soul being like a head relative to individual souls as explained in Tanya ch. 2—just as every limb receives its vitality via connection with the head/brain so too with chassid/Rebbe: if one's connection with one's head is whole then each limb receives its appropriate vitality; likewise a chassid receives all he needs both materially and spiritually via connection with his Rebbe.

I do not have time now for further elaboration but I hope this suffices. If you have further questions on any points above please let me know—I will try to answer when possible.

I am enclosing herewith a kuntres for Chai Elul. Signing off—with blessings for being inscribed and sealed for a good sweet year.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches us both to learn from everyone around us and also strive actively to teach others by word and example. Redemption comes through Torah study, mitzvos, teshuvah—and our personal connection with tzaddikim continues beyond physical life through spiritual attachment.