2470 —חב"ד לא צריכה להתחרות כאשר חוגים חרדים אחרים כבר פעילים

B"H, 14 Adar I, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g veHaraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n tzm"s oseik b'tztz etc. Moharshi

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 16th of Shevat as well as the regards sent via Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a Baal Meretz etc., Rabbi Weiss, and may Hashem grant each and every one of us to share only good news from now on, both in general matters and in personal ones.

b) Thank you for noting the printing error you found in the Moreh Shiur for the 7th of Shevat in a leap year. As I wrote previously, due to being busy I entrusted and relied on others for proofreading such items. In general, as Scripture says: "Who can discern errors?"

c) Regarding your suggestion for a correction—possibly replacing "Kevod Marana" instead of "Marana HaChassid," since I found it written this way in the margins of Tanya and it was copied from a Tanya belonging to elder chassidim from previous generations who apparently were authorities based on other notes. Still, I could not clarify exactly who it was, so I included his changes in the corrections section as possibilities.

d) Regarding the doubt in Tanya chapter 1 page 5 line 7 with the word "mizeh," in my opinion it connects to what precedes it—similarly with the word "zeh," page 24b line 11, though some say it connects below. See also Kuntres Bikur Chicago page 63 and onward.

e) Concerning the conversation Rabbi Weiss had with... I was surprised that he completely rejected the matter—that is, that he should do something about it—since as I wrote to you previously there were several possible approaches depending on circumstances; not necessarily an absolute prohibition as you wrote to me but at least a strong protest or a simple prohibition etc. Given the mood at the time, precise wording was less important than making clear that his attitude was absolutely negative toward National Service even after leniencies... As a basis for merit I found what I heard from my father-in-law, the Rebbe: when he wanted to travel for some communal matter but could not due to health reasons, he sighed deeply and said that even when one wants to fulfill G‑d's will one needs special merit to be given the ability. As you conclude regarding this matter—that since it became politicized you ceased your involvement—on such things we can apply our Sages' saying: "Let him lose his world because of fools."

f) Regarding Chabad matters: surely you are involved as much as possible and I am confident that ultimately we will prevail; nevertheless we must pray and act so this happens as soon as possible—for days are formed and none should be wasted.

g) You write you have a small handwritten commentary on Tanya; the copy with your late brother-in-law R.A. Levin z"l is not with me, but here I found a Tanya commentary attributed to MaharY Kadayaner starting at Likkutei Amarim chapter 1 etc., ending with commentary on chapter 12. If this is not what you have at hand as your honor writes, then if possible please send it to me for a set period.

h) Regarding talks and discourses published here: generally, the secretariat sends you everything that appears.

i) Thank you for sending outlines from the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen in Kfar Chabad.

j) Last but not least—to acknowledge receipt of volume five of Encyclopedia Talmudit; just like previous volumes this too is an amazing and monumental work—full of wisdom and great orderliness. Based on my father-in-law's saying, I see this as a great merit from Above that your honor was granted to edit and publish such books whose benefit is immense.

While discussing this: recently I wondered why—even though about a year and a half ago an aid grant of one thousand shekel was allocated by Chicago Rescue Fund for publishing Encyclopedia Talmudit—it has not materialized; apparently because those involved have not provided Rescue Fund with requested details of income/expenses despite repeated requests over many months.

Incidentally: when reviewing something connected with one of our farbrengens here regarding blessings over mitzvos—and using Encyclopedia Talmudit—I noticed some need for clarification regarding why Rambam's reasoning is omitted concerning saying blessings before performing mitzvos; only Ritva's reason is brought even though later under same entry Rambam is quoted.

Blessings for success in all above-mentioned matters and long fruitful years with peace of mind and broadness of spirit.

P.S.: Since there are those suggesting Chabad take an important role in fighting against Mission activity—even officially—which would require appointing someone responsible (especially someone who can connect Chabad with offices in Eretz Yisrael from whom resources would come), please let me know if the mentioned Avrech is suitable—meaning if he is organized, well-mannered etc.—or perhaps you have another suggestion from among Chabad people suitable for this task. Of course, it is also understood that it is not appropriate for Chabad to compete (konkuriren) if there are already real organized activities by other chareidi circles; rather only participate so there will be no competition or duplication of work—as is obvious.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when other chareidi groups are already actively addressing an issue effectively, Chabad should avoid competing or duplicating efforts—instead focusing its energy where it adds unique value without causing overlap or rivalry.