3391 —מנהיגות, אחדות, וציפיות ריאליות בעבודה קהילתית

B"H, 6th of Nissan, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 28th of Adar... it is clear and obvious that to wait before starting the work until the conditions you describe are fulfilled—(a) that there will be complete unity among everyone, etc.; (b) that Anash and their institutions will be subordinate, etc.—this is, in other words, to despair even of beginning the work. The truth must be said: I have not found a period—even during the years of leadership of my revered father-in-law the Rebbe—when there was complete unity or when Anash and their institutions were subordinate to anyone (except for an important segment regarding the Nasi, my revered father-in-law the Rebbe).

The solution to this situation is not necessarily in the above conditions (which are "Halachah for Mashiach's times," when it is said: "And the earth will be filled with knowledge of Hashem," and thus there will be no time for such matters), but rather in dividing up the work. That is to say: each individual should take upon himself a specific and detailed matter—of course suited to his ability—and devote himself to it with all his energy. In this area he will be the leader; it will also be his role to consult with other members of the executive committee as needed, with decisions made by majority as usual. For very important matters, questions should be sent in writing and one should wait for a reply.

It is understood that there are several matters which no single person can fulfill—for example, when one must visit as a representative on missions, etc.—but since each person will have an "avnah dehu mitgoshesh bo" [a stone he wrestles with] and sees success in it, it will become easier to bring about submission in these aforementioned matters...

Blessings for a kosher and joyous Pesach—to him and all his family—and may "the food of faith" and "the food of healing" have their full effect on each one of them both physically and spiritually.

M. Schneersohn

1 Yalkut Shimoni on the verse "The heavens declare the glory of G‑d": Rabbi Yaakov bar Zevdi said: A parable—to a mighty man who entered a city and they did not know his strength. A wise man said: From the stone he wrestles with you can know his strength. So too from the heavens we learn about the might of G‑d. And it is written: "When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers," teaching that both upper and lower worlds are only like finger play for the Holy One.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that waiting for perfect consensus before acting leads nowhere; instead, everyone should take responsibility for specific tasks within their capacity and move forward energetically while consulting others as needed.