2259 —עריכת סיפורים לבית רבי ואימות אמיתותם

B"H, 9 Marcheshvan, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Mohar"a Chanokh Glitzenshtein

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It was pleasant to receive your letter from the 26th and 29th of Tishrei, together with fourteen chapters of Beis Rabbi, part one. I have given them to be arranged for printing, and hopefully it will be completed by the upcoming Yud-Tes Kislev. It is surprising that apparently your work did not utilize what is found in the book Toras Shalom, which you surely have from what you sent here. It would be worthwhile for you to review that book and supplement from it as needed. Please send here the chapter and location where these additions should be inserted. Of course, promptness in this matter is praiseworthy so as not to delay printing.

b) Regarding the four chapters about our Rebbe’s family and his books: to find someone here to handle this matter—at present I do not see anyone suitable. It would be proper—based on what is printed in Toras Chassidus Chabad and in the booklet Shaarei Chabad by Mr. A.M. Haberman (printed in Jerusalem 5712; he is one of the writers in the periodical Kiryat Sefer)—that you yourself should also arrange the chapter about his books. The same applies regarding the chapter about his family and teachers: you should arrange them yourself as you did with the first fourteen chapters.

c) Regarding stories about Chassidim of Rabbeinu HaZaken: although your suggestion to collect and print them is worthwhile and correct, besides that there is no need to delay matters until then, some of these stories are doubtful in their authenticity. Since it is difficult to verify them, it would not be appropriate to print them together with Beis Rabbi so as not to weaken its authority.

d) I enjoyed very much your overall editing and copying of Beis Rabbi, which makes a good and strong impression. I hope its publication will bring benefit in many ways. Since Hashem has granted you merit to benefit the public, public merit depends on you—to influence good for you and your wife both materially and spiritually, fulfilling all your heart’s wishes for good with healthy offspring soon.

e) I was very pleased that according to your letter, the Youth Committee of Agudas Chassidei Chabad has decided to intensify its activities; may this come into practical effect very soon with real actions. If it is established that publicity never returns empty-handed, how much more so when publicity is connected with actual deeds that can serve as an example for what they expect from others.

Awaiting good news and signing with blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe stresses careful editing and verification when publishing stories about tzaddikim so as not to weaken their authority. He encourages diligence in communal projects and highlights how public merit brings blessings both materially and spiritually.