2517 —כבוד אמיתי וכבוד מדומה קיים לכל אחד

B"H, 11 Adar II, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letters from the 22nd of Adar I, Rosh Chodesh, and Friday in Adar II, thank you for informing me about the improvement in your health. Surely you are also maintaining your physical health in a tangible way, as explained many times in Chassidus that one must surely help him; then the body will be healthy, making it easier to work with it so that it does not interfere but rather helps in serving the Creator—especially as the Baal Shem Tov desired—that this be done with joy.

It is clear that I am greatly pained by the magnitude of concealment and obscurity. Even though we see with our physical eyes that external concealments are diminishing—and on the contrary, now is an opportune time to expand their boundaries among students from various circles, even from those truly outside among them—beginning by increasing the number of students quantitatively, and over time they will certainly grow qualitatively as well—yet internal concealments and obscurities are increasing and growing regarding matters that even the animal soul understands are trivial things. As I have already written several times: there is enough work for everyone, as well as true honor—even imaginary honor—for each person. Yet despite all this, each one pulls to his own side; decisions and opinions change frequently from one extreme to another.

This is similar to what my father-in-law, the Rebbe, said in one of his talks: soon a time will come when people will grab their heads because just a short while earlier there was such delightful work but they did not take advantage of the opportunity. Although he was explicitly referring to the complete redemption—when people will regret not having taken advantage of the exile period—this applies on a smaller scale to each individual during exile: since many things are being revealed as their concealment is removed, all these points and claims above apply regarding this detail.

To those teaching—it should be explained to them that they work in my father-in-law's institutions; therefore even if they are correct in their claims against so-and-so or another person, this is no reason to punish themselves by diminishing their merit or success—even in their personal matters—by reducing their participation in these institutions. Surely you will find suitable words for this. Of course, I do not mean they should be uprooted G‑d forbid; on the contrary—we have recently seen how great an impact comes through arousing mercy from my father-in-law the Rebbe, who gives participants in his matters not only spiritually but also physically—in a literal sense—as can be clearly observed.

My intention above is that you explain to them that their entire approach is incorrect—they view the matter as if it belongs only to certain individuals and therefore feel compelled to wage war against them; otherwise they think it has nothing to do with them and seek a better place. This is completely untrue. The point is: my father-in-law placed them in a beautiful portion both materially and spiritually—and says "choose life" (u'vacharta ba'chayim). There is no need for further elaboration here.

May Hashem grant you success to bring good news about all of the above. Surely you will act energetically yet calmly within proper vessels—that is, it should also settle within both the recipient vessel and those influenced by it—then this will be something lasting.

With wishes for a joyous Purim for you and your entire family with proper health,

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every person has sufficient honor available—both real and imagined—and urges unity, sincere participation in communal efforts, maintaining health, seizing opportunities for growth, and approaching service of G‑d with joy.