2291 —געדיינקען דענסטמאלדיקע יחס אל המשפיעים שרצו ללמד מאמרים מסוימים

B"H, 9 Kislev, 5714. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter from Friday of Parshas Toldos. Certainly, you will not be offended that there are matters which are either asked from the outset or not asked at all.

Surely you have seen the letter from my father-in-law, the Rebbe (printed in Kuntres Tz"g), that the publication of writings, books, and discourses of our Nesi'im—both in Nigleh and Chassidus—and therefore also his own in general—he entrusted this to Kehot Publication Society. The reasons for this are understandable; one is that many copies are full of errors, and there are also issues of first and later editions. Above all is the principle that everything depends on mazal—even a Sefer Torah in the Ark—so it is not proper for everyone to print or copy these things as they wish. It is worthwhile to consult with others, and there are additional reasons. In general, it is not so relevant to investigate all these reasons since the Rebbe Rayatz said so.

Therefore, had Kehot been asked from the outset before copying these discourses, it would have been treated as a l'chatchila—whether to copy these or others first. But since part of this has already been done, you now ask in New York whether to stop printing Toras Admor Maharashab or not—if they continue, these writings will become more widespread. So what answer do you expect to receive? Especially since you mention in your letter that you have already invested several hundred pounds into this project. Thus, an element of Ahavas Yisrael is involved here as well; therefore, your hands and feet are already tied, and you must respond that it should be completed successfully.

Regarding what you write about the heads of yeshivos asking you etc.—the fact that they study for themselves those discourses they were accustomed to during their time in yeshiva is no wonder; "Le'olam yilmod adam b'makom shelibo chafetz" (A person should always study where his heart desires), so it is easier for them than starting new ones. Every Nasi in his generation—inevitably—innovated in his Torah teachings; therefore, there must be changes in style and content. However, when one wants to institute such an order also with the students of the yeshiva, then the heads of yeshivos and older temimim must remember their own past attitude toward their mashpiim who wanted specifically to teach them discourses from previous Nesi'im and not those from their own Nasi—the Rebbe Maharashab...

It is well known the ruling of Rabbeinu HaZaken in Hilchos Talmud Torah: a person during his lifetime must learn at least once through Torah Shebichsav and Torah Sheba'al Peh with all its parts; therefore included in this are also the discourses of every Chabad Nasi throughout all generations. But my opinion stands: since more than a hundred booklets of discourses from my father-in-law have been printed—including entire years' worth—they should be set for regular study in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim. May Hashem grant success to each of us to fulfill our mission according to truth.

With blessings for Chag HaGeulah and success in both communal and personal matters.

P.S. Your letter was delayed en route because you addressed it as number 177 instead of 770.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that we must respect established processes for disseminating Chabad teachings while remembering our own past attitudes toward spiritual mentors. Unity and Ahavas Yisrael guide us toward fulfilling our mission with truth.