2024 —על הבעת תודה על מצוה והוצאת חסידות באיטלקית

B"H, 27 Shevat, 5713.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I pleasantly received your letter from Motzaei Shabbat Beshalach along with the newspaper clipping about Yud-Tes Kislev enclosed within it, and thank you for sending it to me. I also received your previous letter with the talk from Shabbat Mevarchim Elul that was printed in Italian. It is known that regarding a mitzvah, it is not appropriate to say thank you, for the reward of a mitzvah is the mitzvah itself. As I believe I have already written to you, it would be proper that at frequent intervals—not so far apart—one from another, matters from Chassidic teachings, stories, and guidance should be printed in Italian. For example, soon regarding Beis Nissan, Pesach, Lag BaOmer, etc. The material for this can certainly be found in the printed volumes of Sichos and Likkutei Dibburim; the rest can be provided by Harav Hagaon Harav Hachasid etc., Reb M.M. Perlow, who surely has many of these publications.

2) In accordance with the above, it is correct that you wish to print (obviously in Italian) a booklet about Chabad activities. It would be good if this were similar to what has been printed here in Lashon HaKodesh and now also in English; recently there are also additional reports concerning our work in Morocco (enclosed). Surely you will find someone who understands English there. Of course, if only time permits, it would be worthwhile to send here a copy of the translation before it is printed.

3) Regarding your writing that the booklet will be published by the Milan newspaper: since I do not know clearly what kind of newspaper it is, it is difficult for me to decide on this matter. It would be good if you consult with Harav Perlow and Rabbi Gansburg who are there locally. It may be better for the booklet to come out as a publication of the Chabad organization or by the newspaper—there are advantages to both options. In any case, it would be worthwhile if matters of Chabad were also published in the newspaper from time to time as mentioned above. The great merit is understood for anyone who works to spread knowledge about Chassidus—its teachings and guidance—even in their country's language.

4) I was very pleased by your report that construction of the mikveh has been completed and that you also made an elevation from weak cement; surely by the time you receive this letter rain will have already fallen so that it can now be used—I await good news about this.

5) What you wrote in your first letter regarding "matters of folly" mentioned in Zohar—which you wish to interpret as referring to secular wisdoms called "foolishness" compared to holy wisdom—you have indeed touched upon truth. This is explained at length in the discourse "Vayomer Moshe... Bachar Lanu Anashim," Purim 5709 (printed in Kuntres 63), see there chapter 2 onward.

6) Surely you received my regards which I sent via Mr. Zipel.

With blessing

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that one does not express thanks for fulfilling a mitzvah since its reward lies within itself. He encourages consistent publication of Chassidic teachings in local languages and provides practical advice on communal projects and spreading Torah values.