3176 —זיכרון, השפעה, וכוח המעשים הקטנים

B"H, 8 Teves, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Sh"B Mrs. Devorah Leah may she live.

Blessings and peace!

I was pleased to receive your letter from the 3rd of Teves, and even more so to see its content—your memories from days gone by about the spiritual character of your mother, the Rebbetzin (of blessed memory), and the nature of her prayer.

It is well known in our Torah's perspective that in many cases—and often—thought is more effective than speech or even action. As with several matters, secular science has also reached this conclusion in recent years. However, since a person's role is to act and "action is primary," one must extend thought and join it to deed.

If it is said regarding every individual that they can influence their close and even distant surroundings to a certain extent—provided they strive with appropriate effort and energy—how much more so does this apply to descendants of people of spirit who are also men of action. Surely they have inherited these qualities from their ancestors. This too is part of the power of memory: it arouses these inherited strengths and brings them from concealment into revelation. At such an opportune time, one should utilize this awakening and revelation in practical matters—for this rectifies these powers, perfects the person themselves, satisfies their soul, and adds further elevation "from level to level" for the souls of ancestors.

Do not belittle "smallness," for just as a tiny destructive measure can ruin a great city with many people, so too—since good outweighs strictness—a deed that seems small or insignificant in human eyes can sometimes justify seventy or eighty years of life and fill them with meaning.

As the Baal Shem Tov's saying goes: A soul descends into this world and lives seventy or eighty years just to do a Jew a favor physically—and especially spiritually. In this way it fulfills its mission for descending below as well as for the descent of ancestral soul-sparks within it.

This also explains the wonder about the mitzvah of prayer: "First recounting the praise of the Holy One Blessed be He, then asking for one's needs." At the height of attachment during Shemoneh Esrei one asks for blessing for their grain in the field—for through gathering this grain one can, must, and will make "a dwelling for Him below." At that moment one fulfills—the ultimate purpose and perfection of all creation—through one simple daily act.

You surely know how much my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe (may his merit protect us), was interested in recording memories from earlier days in general—and especially regarding family members. Surely you do so as well; attention to detail here is important.

May it be G‑d's will that all this be done with proper health—for you and your husband—and good arrangements in everything.

With honor and blessing—Sh"B

P.S.: As you requested, I am returning here your mother's letter (the Rebbetzin, of blessed memory).

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that recalling our ancestors' spiritual strengths awakens those qualities within us. By channeling memory into positive action—even small deeds—we fulfill our purpose on earth and bring elevation both to ourselves and our forebears' souls.