755 —על תפקיד השליח, הליכה לקולג', ואחריות רוחנית

B"H, 24 Elul, Hashem should help the esteemed chassid vavac"h iy"a etc. ... may he live.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

The kuntres for Chai Elul with my attached letter was surely received in its time, and you also read what I wrote in the margin of the letter. Due to lack of time I did not elaborate as was fitting, and I also thought perhaps there was no need for length here and even brief words would suffice for you. But since you were silent and did not answer me about this, it is known in the Talmud that there are two interpretations of silence: "since he was silent he agreed," or "he was silent because he nullified his words." And since there is room for doubt, here I am writing at somewhat greater length.

This is the situation as I see it: My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m, chose you and made you his emissary to lead the community of Bnei Yisrael in our camp. The emissary of a person is like himself, and one of the reasons for this is that the sender gives from his own powers to the emissary. This applies to every person in general—especially to an inward person—and even more so if the sender is an essence. It is known from the Baal Shem Tov's saying: "When you grasp part of the essence you have grasped it all" (brought in the Rosh Hashanah maamar section 2). Thus when the sender gives his power to the emissary it is as if all of him is present there.

For what purpose did my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m, send you? It is clear that it was to lead his community in ways of Torah and mitzvah and to help each one ascend on a path leading up to Beis El (the House of G‑d). It is also obvious that for this purpose, even more than his community whom he leads as their head, the emissary himself must go from strength to strength.

By what means can the emissary ascend? There is a royal road—the road paved and explained by our Sages in general, by Chabad leaders in particular, and by our Nasi—my revered father-in-law—the Rebbe hk"m especially—regarding how one can be spared from enticements of the yetzer hara (called der kluginker), which is the path of "turn from evil," and how to ascend on "do good."

After all this—if G‑d forbid it is true what I heard about your desire regarding college—there are several consequences: A) From your already limited time a large portion will go not toward fulfilling your above task. B) Part of your time will be used for matters that contradict fulfilling your above task. C) Others will see this example and do likewise—even more so—your community will say: If Lubavitcher Rebbe's shliach—after learning several years in his yeshivah—still needs college studies to become a mensch (a proper person), then why should we live under an illusion? Better we send our sons and daughters right away for such education. D) And most importantly: What does he have with regard to the Rebbe whom he drags along with him into college? Since the powers of the sender are within him—and when his body goes to college then also his G‑dly soul bound up in this body must go too—and consequently also those powers of the Rebbe invested in this G‑dly soul; as above regarding grasping part of essence etc.—it turns out he drags along so-to-speak even the Rebbe himself.

I do not wish to elaborate further on all this nor do I see necessity for it since surely even what has been said above suffices amply. I do not know if this test is so great for him; either way my hope and confidence are that he will withstand this test—and then surely he will see that such tests are only tests—that there was nothing substantial here at all. As known regarding differences between tests and clarifications.

He should increase his study sessions in Torah generally—and Chabad teachings specifically—and especially teachings of my revered father-in-law—the Rebbe hk"m—as all these are advice so that distracting thoughts—which ought to be foreign to him—will not disturb him; thus he can fulfill his mission—the mission of his soul in this world—with peace of mind.

I do not know your wife's attitude toward this question; either way it seems correct that you share with her my letter's content on this matter. Surely you will inform me of your good decision regarding all this; thank you in advance.

I am interested to know if there were positive results from what we discussed when you were here—that you establish a joint study session with your wife using those works of our Sages most suited to her spirit.

I conclude with blessings for a good inscription and sealing—for you and your wife—that through you may be fulfilled completely my revered father-in-law's wishes; may you bring them from potential into actuality—with peace of mind and body—and with abundance both materially and spiritually.

Awaiting good news,
Menachem Schneerson

Enclosed herewith: The Rosh Hashanah kuntres with its attached letter plus a general letter in three languages; it would be appropriate for you to publicize this general letter suitably among various circles.
Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 17 p. 485; completed according to secretariat copy.
My letter: above – 759.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that a shliach carries not only responsibility but also spiritual energy from their sender; choices like attending college affect both personal mission and communal example. Focused Torah study strengthens resolve against distractions so one can fulfill their unique purpose fully.