5012 —חששות אודות יוזמה מוצעת והדרכה לפעולה

B"H, 7 Teves, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z etc. Yaakov Landau

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the fifth candle of Chanukah, in which you write about the discussion and proposal regarding it. Many of the concerns about this proposal were also raised in your letter. Additionally, there is a main point to add: if you speak with an individual, who will tell you what to do—since they can change all the conditions and arrangements. And if you agree to speak with a group of religious people, i.e., with an organization that must be considered, then several such organizations already exist—so why not connect with them?

Regarding the argument about partisanship—it seems there are also non-partisan organizations, such as the Union of Synagogues and similar bodies, like the organization Rabbi Zaks from Jerusalem is interested in (apparently, he is the owner of a hotel there).

It is understood that despite all the above, there remains the question—as you write in your letter—that meanwhile it is necessary to save several settlements from anti-religious influences, at least a certain part of these settlements, since they will allow a representative and religious guide to come there. But for this there is no need to create new entities; if it is announced that the door is open for visits by religious people—rabbis and so forth—and with a warning not to bring any party matters there, surely several rabbis, educators, and religious guides will take advantage of this opportunity to visit.

On the other hand—and despite all these concerns—since apparently they spoke with him not as a representative of any movement (i.e., his words and actions cannot be used in fighting against a religious party), one should look for a way to use this conversation for some immediate rescue. My intention: to present detailed demands regarding specific settlements lacking sufficient budget for religious needs and similar matters. Since they are interested in continuing negotiations, it is reasonable to say these demands will be met. The manner in which these demands are fulfilled and public reaction (from both right and left) will certainly clarify the situation.

By the way—it seems there are several rabbis who are members of their party (I believe one by name is Rabbi Feldman as well as among Yemenite rabbis). I am interested to know if it has been explained why these individuals are not being used for this purpose.

What you wrote about negligent and strange attitudes etc.—unfortunately, the attitude is even more alarming than what was told to him or what you mention in your letter. As I wrote recently to one activist in Eretz HaKodesh who is a member of a so-called religious party: regrettably and to the detriment of every Jew among Bnei Yisrael, religious activists are not fulfilling their roles but rather competing with non-religious activists in matters unrelated to religion; each deceives himself that this fulfills his obligation while matters of religion are neglected ever more gravely—who knows where it will end if there is no fundamental change in how religious parties and their rabbis conduct themselves...

To reduce responsibility regarding steps taken on the content at the beginning of this letter—it may be worthwhile that even Anash should not know about what was mentioned above so that matters remain confidential until an opportune time.

Summary

The Rebbe advises careful consideration before engaging with new initiatives or organizations and stresses using existing frameworks when possible. He highlights both practical strategies for safeguarding Jewish life and cautions against publicizing sensitive plans prematurely.