3919 —על אי הקטנת פרויקטים טובים ועקרון ההוספה תמיד

B"H, 2nd of Kislev, 5716.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

...To my surprise I received a copy ... regarding the matter of the dining hall in Chabad Shafrir, and its content: that in the discussion about building the dining hall, which took place with representatives of the offices, it was decided that due to the increased cost of building materials and labor, the building would need to cost several thousand lira more than originally planned. Therefore, they decided to construct a smaller building!

Now, aside from the well-known principle in Kabbalah that constriction is the source of judgments, in general it is not my way to reduce G‑d forbid, but on the contrary—to increase. In my view, this is also everyone's role: to strive to increase good, not leave it as is and certainly not diminish it. As our Sages so aptly put it in a few words: "Ma'alin b'kodesh" (we ascend in holiness). I am sure you will agree with me that it is not fitting to reduce a project whose total cost amounts to several tens of thousands of lira just because building materials have increased by a few thousand.

Knowing that the agricultural school in Kfar Chabad was your initiative and that you have nurtured this project from its inception—alongside your many efforts for the development of the village overall—I think it is your merit that this matter too will be resolved through you. That is why I am writing you now.

Nevertheless, if there is absolutely no way to increase the loan for the agricultural school so as to carry out the plan in full, I am prepared—if there is no other choice—to urge Anash (our community) to make a special fundraising campaign. Even though according to Chabad's payment terms there is still time before repayment is due, we will raise the extra amount needed for the dining hall due to increased building costs as per your letter. The responsibility will be mine; with G‑d's help this will be settled before construction ends.

I was pleased to hear from Harav BaG that you participate in public classes on Masechet Bava Metzia. Surely you know my instructions at the beginning of this year—for the start of studies in Chabad yeshivot—that higher classes should learn Masechet Bava Metzia. That is why we specially printed this tractate with additions—novellae from our Rebbe Menachem Mendel tzt"z—in Nigleh (revealed Torah), as well as his discourse for both beginning and end of this tractate. I have instructed that three copies be sent to you separately by package: one for yourself, one for the head of your study group, and one for another participant. I am asking you to distribute them; I hope this will give you an opportunity—and surely heartfelt words—to explain "Shnayim Ochazin B'Tallit" (two holding onto a garment) according to points made by tzt"z in his commentary printed as an appendix. Please forgive me for troubling you with this task. The appendix itself has also been sent by air mail separately.

To conclude with good: since we are approaching Yud Tes Kislev—the bright day marking our Rebbe's liberation—and our Rebbe Rashab adds an explanation: "the festival which redeemed our soul in peace and gave us light and vitality," I hope when you participate in the farbrengen at Kfar Chabad on this auspicious day—as has been your good custom for many years—you will bring along many of your students so they too can benefit from its spiritual light and inspiration. Surely this gathering will impact them and leave an impression for days, weeks, and months afterward.

If someone passing by a perfumer's shop cannot help but absorb some fragrance—how much more so when participating in a Chabad farbrengen whose very nature is internalization—not just emotional inspiration but also engaging one's intellectual faculties (Chabad) within one's mind! My strong hope is they will absorb not only "fragrance" but also inner matters; many people's merit depends on you.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches never to reduce positive initiatives due to obstacles but rather seek ways to expand them further; increasing holiness brings blessing both materially and spiritually.