3271 —עידוד לתמוך במאמצי המקוה וגדול חשיבותו

B"H, 14 Shevat, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It is surprising that for a long time I have not received letters or news from you, and regarding the present matter I write because in these days I received a letter from Haraha"g etc. Rav Pe'alim Moreinu HaRav Chaim Yom Tov Lipa Deutsch from Cleveland. He writes to me among other things that he is in contact with you regarding the mikveh in your camp. Although I am certain it is unnecessary to emphasize to your honor the great value of this matter—for even for one woman it was permitted, even in previous generations, to sell a Sefer Torah, etc. (see Megillah 27a), and how much more so for several women and in our generation which is a doubled and redoubled darkness—yet relying on our Sages' saying 'we only urge those who are already eager,' I too wish to stress the great value of this matter. Who knows if for this very time you have attained the position of being a rabbi in Israel—'Who are kings? The rabbis.' As is known from the Baal Shem Tov's saying: to do good for even one Jew materially or spiritually even once makes worthwhile the soul's descent from a lofty height for seventy or eighty years. I will be glad if you inform me that this matter is progressing properly. Rabbi Deutsch is an expert in such matters and will surely assist you as much as possible in this regard.

Certainly you will inform me of what transpires with you for good and with your family, may they live, and about your activities in your community—in our vineyard, especially as it is a Chabad vineyard.

With blessing for good news soon.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights the extraordinary importance of building and maintaining a mikveh, urging continued effort and collaboration. Even helping one Jew just once justifies a lifetime’s work; every step forward brings immense spiritual merit.