2416 —הגנת הרועה על צאן מרעיתו ומסירותו למוסדות הקודש

B"H, 18 Shevat, 5714. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the day of the hilulah of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory. As you requested, I will read it at an auspicious time at his holy resting place.

It is surprising that you do not mention anything about your good activities with the students of the yeshivah... of which the one whose hilulah it was was among its founders and directors. The shepherd did not abandon his flock but protected them—especially the sacred institutions for which he gave his life—from all who rise against them and those who assist their adversaries ^[1].

And "a tzaddik who departs is found in this world even more than during his lifetime," as explained at length in Iggeres HaKodesh of our master, the Alter Rebbe, and its commentary. However, since tzaddikim resemble their Creator, they begin with ways of kindness, etc., yet perhaps the animal soul of one who rises against Chassidus and its leader—the Rebbe—will overpower and break through with noise and anger. As stated by our master, the Alter Rebbe in Tanya chapter 29: to say to it: "You are evil, wicked, loathsome, abominable," etc., as all the names our Sages truly called it: "Until when will you conceal before me the light of Ein Sof blessed be He Who fills all worlds—He was, is, and will be equally—even in this place upon which I stand," etc., "and you loathsome one," etc., denying the evident truth that before Him all is truly as nothing," etc...

In the name of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita,
Secretary:
1 Apparently this refers to those who assist those who rise against them.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that a true leader never abandons his community or sacred institutions but continues to protect and inspire them even after his passing. We are encouraged to remain steadfast in Torah values despite opposition and to recognize the enduring influence of tzaddikim.