2249 —שימוש בשפת המדינה ודאגות מהתבוללות

B"H, 13 Tishrei, 5714.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

The secretariat conveyed to me the content of your phone conversation, particularly your protest regarding our use of the local language, as you are concerned this could lead to assimilation and related issues.

I was pleased to hear your sharp perspective on assimilation. If caution was always needed in this matter, it is all the more so in our times when boundaries are blurred—especially since there are those who call darkness light and light darkness.

I hope that your positive outlook for others will also extend to this perspective and that you will influence others for the good.

Practically speaking: regarding our publishing printed materials not only in Lashon HaKodesh and Yiddish but also in English (and French), it is well known what our Sages said: "Not study but action is primary." In practice, we cannot wait until all our Jewish brethren everywhere learn to understand Lashon HaKodesh or Yiddish, because we must save them and bring them closer to our Father in Heaven and to Torah and mitzvos in actuality—lost time is a loss that cannot be recovered.

Moreover, here in America the matter of language is not tied to assimilation. Unfortunately, we find here that youth who speak Lashon HaKodesh—especially those with Sephardic pronunciation—and may they be aroused to teshuvah, are still in a state contrary to Torah and mitzvos. I do not mean G‑d forbid that Lashon HaKodesh leads to this; rather, as mentioned above, it is an exchange of values here where people say light is darkness and darkness is light. This outlook—that for a bowl of nationalistic stew (nationalism) they sell their Father in Heaven and Torah and mitzvos—is precisely what leads them to speak Lashon HaKodesh. There is no need to elaborate on this painful matter.

How true are the words of our prophets: "Your destroyers and those who lay you waste will come from among you," for those false ideas and perspectives that contain a spark of holiness are precisely what cause more harm.

Regarding you: what was sent to you from matters of the day in the local language was intended so that if you find something relevant, you would surely want to bring it to the attention of a broader circle—including those who do not understand Lashon HaKodesh or Yiddish. In any case, enclosed is the material also in Lashon HaKodesh and Yiddish.

Soon may be fulfilled the prophecy: "They will all form one group to serve the One G‑d through fulfilling one Torah for us all," and may this happen now—in every language people hear—and afterward with one language for us all.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that using local languages for outreach does not cause assimilation; rather, it enables saving Jews by bringing them closer to Torah. The true danger lies in distorted values—not language itself—and efforts should focus on positive influence regardless of language used.