3060 —התיישבות ליד כפר חב"ד, אותנטיות כתבי יד ותובנות חינוכיות

B"H, 28th of Menachem Av, 5715.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Regarding the development of the settlement of Anash in Eretz HaKodesh: as I wrote in my previous letter, for several important reasons it is desirable that their settlement be in proximity to the existing Kfar Chabad, but not within it proper. However, as I believe I noted previously as well, if it is absolutely impossible otherwise, it will be necessary to agree on a second location at some distance from the village. In addition, every effort should be made so that the area adjacent to Kfar Chabad (1400 dunams) be annexed to Kfar Chabad itself. My strong hope is that more settlers will join this village provided conditions are suitable. I am sure you do not need encouragement from me since you were the originator of the idea for the village and took an active part in its nurturing and growth from its inception; "Upon my children and the work of my hands command Me" (in sincerity).

Regarding what you write about the manuscripts of our holy leaders: The actual manuscript in Torat Shmuel is characteristic of the handwriting of Admor Maharash. The sefer Chassidus by Werfel is not with me so I do not know which manuscripts he printed in his book. However, I suspect that the manuscript attributed to Admor HaEmtza'i was likely taken from what was printed in "HaTamim" (regarding the proposal about founding settlements), and in my opinion it is not so characteristic of Admor HaEmtza'i's handwriting; enclosed is a photocopy from one of his letters. As for manuscripts of Rabbeinu HaZaken that I have seen reproduced in books and various places—there is almost no difference between them; therefore one may use what appears also in his book, especially since it is very likely a copy from Rabbeinu HaZaken's letter to Reb Moshe Meizlish which my father-in-law sent as a gift to chassidim and Anash in connection with my wedding.

The manuscript of tzt"z and Admor—the father of my father-in-law—is found in Shu"t tzt"z part one and in Kuntres Etz Chaim; I have asked Anash to provide them for you.

Certainly according to your good custom you will endeavor to present a gift to the village for Yud-Tes Kislev—the Festival of Redemption—as you did previously regarding electricity; so too this year I expect you will surprise them with such a gift. Especially since I was told you visited the village at length and were also presented with a memorandum containing several items as I saw in a copy sent to me.

I do not know if what follows was also your intention when you gave me your gift—the booklet "Meah Berachot," but surely there is Divine Providence here too. It resembles a siddur printed for anusim (forced converts), or perhaps even by them after they arrived at a place where they could live openly according to their true wishes day-to-day—and they added some prayers apparently found only in such collections.

From time to time when I look at this booklet it renews my memory that it was brought to me by someone whose main occupation is education. Naturally this brings up again each time the thought that truly every person—to some degree or perhaps even significantly—is an "anus," compelled by his environment either directly or indirectly; or at least as Maimonides writes (Hilchot Gerushin end ch. 2): "Compelled by his evil inclination yet truly he wishes to be among Israel and fulfill all mitzvot and avoid transgressions."

It is therefore every educator's role to free those they educate or influence from all forms of external compulsion—and all the more so internal compulsion—and connect their inner self with their outer self. Only then does a child (whether young in years or knowledge) grow up happy without constant conflict between inclinations—in chassidic language: between nefesh haElokit (G‑dly soul) and nefesh haBehamit (animal soul). The measure G‑d uses is measure for measure: through this work even the educator himself will more easily win his own battles.

Enclosed is a booklet with indexes for Rabbeinu HaZaken’s sefer Torah Or which was recently brought from the bindery. The photocopies and booklet were sent separately.

Summary

The Rebbe guides on practical settlement decisions near Kfar Chabad while emphasizing authenticity when using manuscripts for research. He offers an educational insight: true growth comes when educators help students overcome both external pressures and internal struggles—leading both student and teacher toward fulfillment.