5355 —איזון אחריות ציבורית עם צמיחה אישית

B"H, 10th of Nissan, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n Rav Poalim Baal Middot etc. Aleksandr Zisel Bonin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After the longest pause, your letter from Motzaei Shabbat was received, and I was pleased to read about the schedule of Shabbat in the institution under your management. Surely all necessary steps are being taken regarding the fact that both boys and girls are being educated there, especially as you mention that they stand separately during prayer. Of course, this is still not sufficient.

You write about sometimes reflecting on your involvement in educating others and wondering about your own state and concerns as days go by. Certainly you know that this issue and these feelings are ancient and disturb all those involved in communal needs in general, especially those whose public work encompasses their entire being. It is also clear that not every era or person has the same solution to this problem; times of war differ from times of peace, emergencies differ from regular years. Obviously, someone with a special talent for public work is not like one who does so out of self-restraint. Based on these points—which are clear to anyone who contemplates even briefly the worldview of our Torah of life, whose great principle is 'Ve'ahavta l'reiacha kamocha' (Love your fellow as yourself) and 'Whoever sustains one soul from Israel is as if he sustained an entire world'—it is understood that in our generation, an orphaned generation yet also the generation at the heels of Mashiach at the end of exile and close to the beginning of true redemption (which will be complete for every Jew), participation and effort from everyone to gather Jewish souls and bring them closer to their Redeemer—the blessed Giver of Torah and mitzvah—is required. No one is exempt from this holy work; at least some time each day, week, or month must be devoted to it. The greater one's talent in this work, the more time he must dedicate to it.

This means there are those whose main focus is precisely this work; all their other matters serve as preparation for it. In other words, this is their mitzvah where they must be especially careful (see Iggeret HaKodesh by Rabbeinu HaZaken at the end of chapter 7 and Sefer HaSichos summer 5700 p.22 with its note). All their Torah and mitzvot ascend through this mitzvah from below upward; all their influences descend through it from above downward.

But it's also understood that to gather sparks and draw hearts near isn't enough just to be 'moist' oneself but one must be able to moisten others—meaning a person must measure daily how much time and energy he needs for his own self-work even if most of his time is given to others. To avoid error in this measurement, one must remember well the well-known saying we heard many times from my father-in-law: just as it is forbidden to diminish one's own faults so too it is forbidden to diminish one's own virtues; he also said that lashon hara (evil speech) isn't only forbidden regarding others but also about oneself.

Since Hashem demands this work from us it is certainly possible to fulfill it; don't be discouraged if at first you encounter difficulties or even stumble—as our Sages say: a person only truly understands Torah after stumbling over it. There can be no greater instruction than this since it's found in laws concerning saving lives.

Using Rabbeinu HaZaken's style (Tanya ch.44): Even though who can approach even a thousandth part of a shepherd of Israel's level? Still, a trace exists within every Jew—especially among those active in education—at least potentially or in ability.

This is where we should reflect on the Baal Shem Tov's teaching we heard from my father-in-law on Shabbat Bereishit 5697 about "Kumi Ori" (Arise! Shine!). According to one listener's notes: The Baal Shem Tov addressed leaders of Israel who teach Jews Torah and act for public good: what will become of you personally? The answer: "Kumi Ori ba'or haprati vehaklali ki va orech" (Arise! Shine with both individual and collective light for your light has come)—the record ends incomplete but it's clear that these leaders set aside Torah and service for public good—not only are they approved but they are blessed with both individual and collective light.

To fully grasp this requires lengthy discussion but since we're dealing with practical conduct there's a known test: In my father-in-law's words (the Rebbe Rashab): "Hold onto this rule always: anything that helps or brings about practical action—any obstacle even if it's something lofty—is just a trick of the animal soul." (See Hayom Yom 23 Sivan 5703.)

If you heed my advice: increase your efforts in educating Jewish boys and girls—both within your institution and beyond—and look at things truthfully and deeply: you're working with those about whom it says "You are children to Hashem your G‑d." Every act drawing them closer to our Father in Heaven creates eternal impact above without limit—and brings infinite pleasure above.

But for success you—and your household—must serve as living examples for those you influence: living examples of Jewish men and women according to our holy Torah's teachings—imbued with the light within Torah which is Chassidus—which requires setting fixed times both internally (in one's soul) and externally (in learning Chassidus regularly), keeping its guidance and customs. Then surely will be fulfilled also the assurance that one's mind and heart will become refined a thousandfold—and "a thousandfold" here isn't exaggeration; sometimes an hour's study yields what would otherwise take a thousand hours—and then you'll progress personally ever higher.

This work isn't easy—but why assume a Jew should seek easy tasks? Especially nowadays when the Shechinah is doubly exiled—all matters require effort etc.—and more than what's written here can be found between the lines; I hope it's enough for one who reflects.

May we both aim toward one interpretation by having one goal—to spread Chassidus ever further until all our people are conquered by its wellsprings so "no man will teach his neighbor...for the earth will be filled with knowledge of Hashem."

All that's said above doesn't contradict what I've written before regarding your help for Kfar Chabad—in fact it assists as well—as per Mishnah: one mitzvah leads to another.

Toward Pesach—the Festival of Our Freedom—coming upon us all for good—I hereby send my blessing for a kosher joyous festival—and true freedom: freedom from material worries as well as spiritual ones—from anything hindering serving Hashem with joy and gladness—may you draw such freedom into every day all year long—especially since serving Hashem as commanded by our living Torah applies throughout every aspect of life day and night—as it says "In all your ways know Him."

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while communal responsibility is vital, personal spiritual growth cannot be neglected; both require dedicated effort. By serving as living examples rooted in Chassidus while helping others, we fulfill our mission most effectively—even when challenges arise.