2757 —קיבלתי את מכתבך לפני ביקורי באהל והתפללתי עבורך

B"H, 29 Sivan, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Morenu HaRav Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen Yales

Shalom u'Vrachah!

You timed your letter well; I received it about an hour before my trip to the Ohel of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal. It was very timely, and I mentioned you and your entire family as you wrote in your letter.

In this month of redemption, which is based on the well-known teaching of our Sages: after his passing, "after the head, the body follows" (Eruvin 41a)—see also Sotah 45b—it was discussed at the recent Shabbos Mevarchim farbrengen that when someone needs to be taken out of captivity, he is first pulled out and rises up; first is redeemed the head, then after the head comes the body. So too with the redemption of my father-in-law, the Rebbe—head and leader of Israel—may it be G‑d's will that very soon after him will follow all parts of Israel, even those considered 'the heels' (see Nazir 51a and Shut Tzafnat Paneach by the Rogatchover Gaon vol. 1, p. 34), included in this true and complete redemption.

Blessings.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that just as redemption begins with the head and then includes all parts of Israel, so too may we merit a complete redemption soon. He emphasizes personal prayer for others at holy sites and draws inspiration from Chazal regarding collective salvation.