3077 —מעורבות פעילה בהפצה רוחנית יומיומית והשפעה מיידית

B"H, the 4th of Kislev, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 23rd of MarCheshvan, in which you confirm receipt of my letter and immediately write that it made an amazing impression on you. It is surprising, since you surely know our Sages' teaching that opinions are not alike; I did not write decisions in my letter but only possibilities and a question to clarify your position. Even if your first letter should have made your position clear—if I wanted to show you another perspective in an ideal way, I would not have needed to write that my intention is that it should be such-and-such, but rather to write about both options and point out the concern with the second option as opposed to the first. In any case, I do not understand why this should be so astonishing.

The main point of my position is: when one is in Eretz HaKodesh at this time, and the situation there is well known and clear—that at every moment there are opportunities to save Jewish souls spiritually (and consequently also regarding physical life as our Sages say)—the obligation falls upon every Jew (but it should be felt even more by those who are careful about G‑d's word in daily life), and especially upon Anash and the Temimim who have heard many times about Ahavas Yisrael and how it is a great principle in Torah as Rabbi Akiva said, and as explained by Rabbeinu HaZaken that it is a vessel for "And you shall love Hashem your G‑d," the foundation and root of all Torah. Therefore, everyone must take an active part—even those abroad, all the more so those in the palace of the King of kings, Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

It is understood that in this matter, as with everything else, there are two types of work: one whose results will come later on and one whose fruits are seen immediately. There is also another division: work which people call minor matters or what poets call gray areas, or work that appears great and wondrous. Naturally, people are more drawn to work that seems great and wondrous; whereas daily work in matters called minor requires a significant measure of acceptance of discipline (kabbalat ol), and even then—perhaps things will be done with the necessary enthusiasm, as experience shows.

Since regarding you—I regret to say—I have not heard much about work in daily life; meanwhile those capable of such work are few. Therefore no one has permission to exempt himself from it—especially those who have merited exposure to Chassidus with its guidance and customs. That is why I wrote in my previous letter—even if only hinted—about my view on this generally and specifically regarding activities in Chabad's vineyard.

It is clear that your explanation that you are not involved with people is insufficient... Meanwhile tens of youths are drifting leftward, and those who could bring them closer to Judaism generally—and Chassidus particularly—are not doing so. What use are all excuses? Even if we say it was complete duress (ones gamur) for which "the Merciful One exempts"—still "as if he acted" we do not say; at least regarding the recipient of action—it means nothing.

Obviously I do not mean to diminish this matter... But as above this is something whose effect will be seen later. Meanwhile one must act within his environment on daily matters—even if they seem gray or minor.

Just as explained regarding giving tzedakah physically—that everyone is obligated—so too spiritually: there is no Jew who cannot do something here—and immediately.

It is also understood that I do not intend moralizing but rely on our Sages' saying from our holy Nesi'im: "We are day workers; we must make light." Thus it is my duty—at least—to state my view here and hope you choose good: namely to take an active part in things whose fruits will be seen soon rather than suffice with preparing for some grand project...

Again I emphasize—in my opinion this does not exempt anyone from these activities at all. It is known what our Sages ruled: "Do not sit weighing mitzvos—lightest or most severe." That means even when Torah itself testifies which is lightest or most severe—and all the more so when it's up to human judgment.

I hope it is unnecessary—after what was written at the start—to repeat again: I do not intend at all to depress your spirit or astonish you or even weaken your enthusiasm for what seems so important. My only intent is to help build up. Especially to awaken you regarding your immediate environment—to spread within it the light found in Torah: namely Chassidus with its guidance and customs. Nothing stands before willpower.

Thank you for sending me the printed essay about my late father z"l.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every Jew must actively engage in daily spiritual outreach within their environment—even small actions matter greatly—and should never wait for grand opportunities while neglecting immediate responsibilities. True impact comes from consistent effort now.