1880 —דיווח על פעולות טובות והפצת חסידות בארץ ישראל

B"H, 1st of Marcheshvan, 5713. Brooklyn.

Hanhalas Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Eretz HaKodesh may G‑d be upon them, may they live.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I pleasantly received your letter from the eve of Sukkos with the attached newspaper clippings. Thank you very much for what has been done so far, and I ask doubly for the future to inform me in detail about your good activities in raising the banner of Judaism in general and especially in spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus.

b) I am particularly interested in details regarding implementation and good resolutions about activities during the month of Tishrei. Certainly, beyond actual activities, you have also publicized these matters in newspapers and similar outlets so that it will be known even in places where people were not present. May Hashem grant you success in all these endeavors.

c) I enjoyed the transcript of the radio broadcast and am sure that going forward you will arrange such broadcasts ahead of time so they can be aired at an appropriate time. Apparently this is now relevant regarding the upcoming festival of redemption, Yud-Tes Kislev.

d) I was pleased with the establishment of study sessions with several students from other yeshivos... Surely learning with them now should match their usual style—that is, focusing on explanation, logic, and comprehension—and not to push them toward self-restraint beyond measure. At the beginning of drawing someone close, one must adapt to the recipient's habits; gradually things will change according to what is learned together, as is obvious.

e) I enjoyed receiving two copies here of the Chabad journal booklet. May those who participate be strengthened through this effort to spread the wellsprings both internally and externally. Enclosed is a script (on behalf of the editorial board) representing my participation in printing and distribution costs.

f) It is understood that as I have previously written, it is necessary to arrange things so as not to prevent publication of news and talks also in other newspapers as was customary until now—since those newspapers reach circles that this booklet does not reach or belong to.

g) Regarding your writing that no program was arranged for Chai Elul because of a celebration in Kfar Chabad: In my opinion this is no excuse at all. Besides there being two evenings—Eve of 18th Elul and after 18th Elul—and since the celebration was on one evening only, surely there were some Anash who did not attend it and could visit other places.

h) I await detailed reports about the assembly commemorating Hakhel (I emphasize "commemoration" to clarify intent; surely you too were careful about this so as not to give an opening or support to those seeking to mislead—enough said).

i) I read all details from your assembly on 7th Tishrei; now is not the time to go into content details. What matters most is that among participants listed there are very few new members. Besides being a sign that something living grows and spreads—our Sages ruled (some say biblically) that we ascend in holiness—it is also known what my father-in-law wrote: it resembles a person climbing a tall mountain; standing still is impossible—one must constantly ascend; otherwise there will be descent G‑d forbid. This applies both to each individual's service among us and also regarding increasing members in your movement—it must grow! If not, it indicates decline G‑d forbid even if numbers have not decreased on paper.

j)...Although our Sages taught one should always learn Torah or perform mitzvos even "not for its own sake," their reasoning is that eventually it leads to "for its own sake." Especially according to what Rabbeinu HaZaken writes (Laws of Torah Study ch.4 Kuntres Acharon s.k.1): The reason is because then mitzvah or study are performed properly; otherwise... And even if technically performed properly—even opponents—it isn't worthwhile to pursue matters "not for its own sake," certainly not for those into whom our Rebbeim—especially my father-in-law—have poured G‑dliness through generations more than enough! It’s clear how utterly rejected such an approach must be. As above—I do not wish to elaborate further; I hope these few lines suffice to uproot this approach entirely—not just intellectually but practically—in action above all else! The removal should manifest not only by avoiding evil but mainly by doing good! I await detailed good news about this...

Summary

The Rebbe encourages detailed reporting on positive activities and stresses adapting outreach methods for each individual while maintaining growth within the movement. He highlights both avoiding negative approaches and focusing on proactive good deeds as essential for true progress.