3319 —מכתב למדני וברכות לרב הרצוג, הרב הראשי של ישראל

B"H, first of Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5715.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After a break in correspondence, it is pleasant for me to receive a letter from your honor, and I would gladly fulfill your request. However, since I am often occupied with questions relating to Sefer Bereishis—and apparently your honor refers to the so-called scientific contradictions therein—these discussions are mostly conducted orally. Unfortunately, I do not have enough time to write them down or even record main points. In one exceptional case, for a specific reason, I did put something in writing and I am enclosing a copy herewith, though it is not clear from your letter if this is what you intended. Since your honor deals with these issues, I would be grateful if you could provide copies of any written material you have on this topic.

And finally: I have just learned that your honor has once again been appointed as Chief Rabbi. I express my wishes that the renewal of your position should be at an auspicious and successful time, and that you succeed in uplifting the prestige (as the appearance depends on the eyes of the beholder—see Shabbos 72b; Bereishis Rabbah 21:5; and as in other places where eyes like those of a person are mentioned in Daniel 7:8) of Yisrael Saba (who was brought into exile to redeem his children before his eyes—see Rashi Ta'anis 5b) in the land where his father dwelled (singular form—certainly Yitzchak; see Midrash HaGadol). This should be accomplished by making their reputation known in the world—that both young men and maidens (the coin minted by the sages—see Berachos 40a; Bamidbar 15:24) are one with elders (Bereishis Rabbah 39:11), and from the land upon which "the eyes of Hashem your G‑d are always upon it" (Devarim 11:12), where Hashem shows them with His own eyes (Shabbos 89b), with unbiased eyes (Devarim 16:19). For even though Moshe Rabbeinu loved Israel (Menachos 65a), his judgments were with Israel (Devarim 33:21), but judgment belongs to G‑d (Devarim 1:17), without compromise or settlement (Sanhedrin 6b), until we merit—through our service during this night of exile when our own eyes have not seen—to fulfill the promise "eye to eye they will see" (Yeshayahu 52:8; Zohar III p.130a; Likkutei Torah by the Alter Rebbe Re'eh s.v. Ki Tishma... Be'einei Elokecha; Or HaTorah by tzt"z at end of Parshas Vayeira).

With respect, honor and blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights the challenge of addressing scientific questions within Torah study due to time constraints but encourages scholarly exchange. He blesses Rabbi Herzog for success in his renewed leadership role and emphasizes integrity and unity among all Jews in Eretz Yisrael.