3416 —התמקדות באחריות הנוכחית והימנעות מהסחת דעת מתכניות עתידיות

B"H, 26 Nissan, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letters from the 9th, 14th, and 23rd of Nissan with their enclosures. Surely you received my previous letter and reflected on what I wrote there about the utmost necessity to organize your time, your activities, and your work in proper order... As it is written: 'If you are small in your own eyes...' (implying one should not underestimate oneself). It suffices to reflect for a moment on the newsletter you published and also on the envelopes for which you are the representative for the country... of the Chabad movement—beginning with our master, the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya; his son-in-law and successor, our master the Mitteler Rebbe; his son-in-law and successor our master the tzt"z; etc., etc. In truth, even a moment's thought about this matter should inspire awe due to the great responsibility. However, our hope is that the Holy One does not demand more than one's capacity, and therefore strength is given in advance to fulfill this role completely; all that depends is one's will and choice.

It is also well known what is brought in the name of my revered father-in-law in Torat Shalom (19 Kislev): 'When one stands in one matter but thinks about another matter, it is not good from any perspective.' Therefore, I do not approve of your emphasis in your letters regarding Elul of next year. Especially since Israel believes in the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu every single day. When asked what he was occupied with during Nissan or Iyar etc., he will answer that he could not properly engage because he was busy preparing to travel etc., and therefore did not conduct himself as he should have in those matters where Divine Providence placed him. It is clear and obvious that it is not Chabad-Lubavitch's way to preach rebuke; rather my hope is that although all these discussions and words so far have not yet changed things according to my opinion, eventually they will begin to have an effect and change will begin practically.

If so, this is not rebuke but mutual support given joyfully from one person to another so that together we can fulfill our Sages' instruction: 'We are workers of daylight.' It goes without saying that all of this applies not only regarding you but also regarding other Anash who... etc., with the difference being that you were granted by Hashem even your material livelihood through a channel of pleasant spiritual work. Whereas other Anash—one must be a shamash (attendant), another a shochet (ritual slaughterer), a third a merchant in material matters or sometimes even raw materials etc., etc.

I hope these few lines will suffice to bring about actual change—not just promises—and to begin this conduct immediately. We are all assured by my revered father-in-law that if we just act accordingly there will be success. For adults, playtime is much less than for children since they recognize the privilege given them to fulfill a specific role...

Blessings for good news in all of the above.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches us to focus on present duties rather than being distracted by future plans or worries. By using our strengths now and acting promptly, we fulfill our responsibilities fully and merit true success.