3541 —שלום בין החסידים וחשיבות האחדות בהנהגה

B"H, 9 Sivan, 5715. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the eve of the time of the giving of our Torah and its subject as stated by our Sages, brought in Rambam at the end of Hilchos Chanukah: "Great is peace, for the entire Torah was given to bring peace into the world," as it is said: "Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace."

I have spoken with him several times in person, and I have also written in my letters that there must be peace among Anash (our people), as per the saying of my revered ancestor, the Tzemach Tzedek: Alef-Beis-Gimmel-Daled—Achdus (unity), Berachah (blessing), Gaavah (arrogance), Dalus (poverty). The explanation is that these matters apply both materially and certainly spiritually.

It is also understood that if there were no reason for a lack of peace, there would be no need to urge or warn about it in various ways. Therefore, even if logic dictates otherwise—even true logic or even nefesh habehamis logic says so—one must still strive for peace. This is why there are so many warnings and wondrous assurances regarding peace; see also Likkutei Torah on three parshiyos at the end of Parshas Noach.

And since, in addition to all this, it is said about every individual that he is close to himself—and therefore has a personal stake—the bribe of self-love inevitably clouds judgment. As brought in Shas regarding great Amoraim in such matters, there is no diminishment or disgrace if one’s own reasoning leads him to see things not as they truly are because he is personally involved.

After all this—even if one were to say he is one hundred percent correct—it is impossible for any institution to function with several people holding different opinions. It is already well known: one thing for a generation, not two things—even though salvation comes with many advisors—one must rely on the decision of those who manage the institution, even though they too are human and can err. There is no other way; otherwise it would bring disorder into all institutions—especially a holy institution where the yetzer hara stands ready for any slight weakening or division among hearts to magnify it further.

I have already written once that when my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz, was actively managing Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch—even his father, my revered ancestor—the Rebbe Rashab—did not intervene in yeshiva matters except through him. There was once a situation where there was some disagreement between them for some reason, and the Rebbe Rashab said they should act according to my father-in-law’s instructions. From this we learn a general principle—and all the more so regarding what you write about management...

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that unity and peace among Chasidim are vital for success both materially and spiritually. Even when disagreements arise or one feels justified in their view, following established leadership ensures order and sanctity within holy institutions.