3039 —עידוד לגבאי ולמתפללים של בית הכנסת חב"ד בפתח תקוה

B"H, 20th of Marcheshvan, 5715. Brooklyn.

Harav vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Mohara"sh A. Shklovski

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With pleasure I received your letter from the first day of Vayeira, in which you write in relative detail about the situation of Beit Knesset Chabad in Petach Tikva. And although in some details further correction is needed as you write, we know the assurance of Hashem Yisbarach: "Pischi li kechudo shel machat va'Ani eftach lecha kepitcho shel ulam" (Open for Me an opening like the eye of a needle and I will open for you an opening like a grand hall), and if the gabai and congregants will do their part with effort, Hashem Yisbarach will surely grant success—especially since about every Jew it is said: "VeNefesh haSheinit b'Yisrael hi chelek Eloka mima'al mamash" (And the second soul in Israel is truly a part of G‑d above), as the language of Scripture (Iyov 31:2) is "chelek Eloka mima'al," and Rabbeinu HaZaken adds the word "mamash," so that this should be brought into actual deed—not only in thought and speech but also in action in daily life—and in all matters about which you write in abbreviations.

And as it is written in sefarim and Rabbeinu HaZaken placed it into the Siddur, that the introduction to prayer is "Ve'ahavta l'reiacha kamocha" (Love your fellow as yourself), so if the gabai looks at the congregants with this introduction and the congregants look at the gabai according to this same introduction, this is a sure way that there will be "Barchenu Avinu kulanu ke'echad" (Bless us our Father all as one), as hinted at in Tanya chapter 32, and it should be specifically as he concludes there: "Be'or Panecha" (in the light of Your face). The intention here is also that one demands a shining face from one another, for just as water reflects a face to a face, so does one person's heart to another.

To add at least as a note regarding matters of Beit Knesset Chabad: I have requested that they be given as a gift from Kehot some books of Chassidus and Tehillim which were printed under the name Ohel Yosef Yitzchak after my revered father-in-law, Admor zatzal.

And now that Kislev—the month of redemption—is approaching for all Israel for good and blessing, then as gabai you should convey to all congregants and their families and all that they have: May it be His will that there be "Padah v'Shalom Nafshi" (He has redeemed my soul in peace), as it says—the reason being—because "Barabim hayu imadi" (for many were with me), that even when there are external disputes, internally and truly they were with me (as hinted at in Yerushalmi Sotah ch.1 halacha 7), all are united with one opinion for one Torah and one G‑d. As explained in Chassidus in many places.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that unity among community members—rooted in recognizing each Jew's Divine soul—brings blessing and success. Effort from both leaders and congregants, guided by Ahavas Yisrael, ensures spiritual growth even when challenges arise.