2665 —ניצול סביבה חדשה לקרב יהודים לאבינו שבשמים

B"H, 20 Iyar, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Havavach iy"a nu"n etc. Yisrael Yehuda Levin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 3rd of Iyar, in which you write that yesterday you returned home. It is surprising that you do not mention anything about your activities in bringing the hearts of the Jewish people closer to our Father in Heaven during your time in the reserve army. It is well known, as ruled by the Baal Shem Tov—a teaching we have often heard from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory—that every matter a Jew sees or hears contains a lesson for his service of his Creator. All the more so when a Jew finds himself in a new environment for a period of time; certainly he must utilize this opportunity in his service of his Creator according to the new surroundings and conditions.

And "Ve'ahavta l'reiacha kamocha" (Love your fellow as yourself) is a great principle in Torah and serves as a vessel for fulfilling "Ve'ahavta es Hashem Elokecha" (You shall love Hashem your G‑d), which is itself the foundation for all positive commandments—including also the mitzvah of fearing G‑d, which is the foundation for all prohibitive commandments. Thus, loving your fellow as yourself is both a vessel and preparation and cause for fulfilling all mitzvos. This is clear and understood. And nothing stands in the way of willpower; may Hashem grant you success.

Blessings for proper health both physically and spiritually.

Summary

Every new situation or environment presents an opportunity to influence others positively and fulfill one's mission of bringing fellow Jews closer to Hashem. The foundation of all mitzvos lies in loving one's fellow and utilizing every circumstance for spiritual growth.