4185 —התחלת שיעורים עם סיפורי צדיקים וחסידים

B"H, 26 Adar, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Yaakov Yosef Gurkav

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter—without indication of the time it was written—in which you write about renewing the classes. It is good that you also speak about the environment of Chassidus, following our Sages' teaching to begin with something lighthearted, especially since stories of Tzadikim and Chassidim—an ancient Jewish custom—are themselves Torah.

Certainly it is unnecessary to remind you—and through you also other Anash—about distributing Shmurah Matzah before Pesach as discussed in the past farbrengen. Perhaps there is a suitable way for the Nshei U'Bnos Chabad organization to participate as well, by encouraging their husbands or one friend encouraging another to find out how to obtain appropriate Shmurah Matzah, etc.

Regarding what you wrote about boys whose mothers are Jewish but not their fathers, and you began to inquire whether they are circumcised—you did well. However, this should be done diplomatically so that it will more likely be carried out in practice, for action is the main thing—that they be circumcised. Therefore, care must be taken not to do anything that would make this more difficult; this is understood. May Hashem grant you success.

As we approach Pesach which is coming upon us and all Israel for good and blessing, may you celebrate it together with your entire family in kashrus and joy.

Blessings, M. Schneersohn

Regarding what you wrote that you do not see results from your activities etc.—it cannot be so, since our holy Nesi'im have informed us that persistent outreach never returns empty-handed. Certainly the results could be even greater, but as it is said: "Little by little I will drive them out..." The main thing is that even regarding existing results, the yetzer hara tries to minimize them in your eyes or conceal them in hopes this will weaken your holy work. From this it is clear that on the contrary one must increase beyond one's current measure. One deed is better than a thousand sighs—and similarly regarding his own personal growth as discussed in Tanya chapter 27 onward.

I was very pleased by what you wrote about the progress of the Avrech... This too is clear evidence of all the above...

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that sharing stories of Tzadikim and Chasidim at the start of a class elevates learning. He encourages outreach with sensitivity and assures that every effort brings results—even if progress seems slow—emphasizing action over discouragement.