ב"ה, י"ז ניסן, תשי"ז
ברוקלין.
הרה"ג וו"ח אי"א נו"נ רב פעלים מו"ה אהרן שי'[1]
שלום וברכה!
מאשר הנני קבלת מכתבו בו כותב אודות האפשרית להסתדר בשחיטת עופות, וכנראה כוונתו שזהו בירושלים עיה"ק ת"ו וסביבותי' ובכל אופן במקום שלא יהיה בודד, ולכן נראית לי סברת הסתדרות זו, ויהי רצון שיהי' בהצלחה בגשמיות וברוחניות וינצל כשרונותיו להחזקת היהדות והפצתה בסביבתו עתה, ודלא כהטועים לומר אשר נסיונות ביהודות הוא רק במדינתנו לפנים ומעבר לגבול המדינה ההיא אין נצרכים להתעוררות ומס"נ וכו' כי בעוה"ר רואים אשר הנסיון דהעדר הרדיפות והחירות לעשות איש כל הישר בעיניו גם זה נסיון קשה הוא, וכיון שהוא הגבר ראה עני איך שעומדים במס"נ על לימוד התורה קיום המצות מתוך גזירות איומות, בטח יהיו דבריו נשמעים יותר כשיעורר בסביבתו עתה ע"ד לימוד תורה ביראת שמים קיום המצות מעשיות כפשוטו כדבעי וכו' וכל המקים[2] אפילו נפש אחת מישראל כאילו קיים עולם מלא.
בברכה לבשו"ט בכל האמור.
מפני קדושת המועד לא בא כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א על החתום והנני חותם בשמו.
With Hashem’s help, 17 Nissan, 5717
Brooklyn
To the esteemed Rabbi, tireless in his efforts,
Rabbi Aharon, shlit”a
Greetings and blessings!
I acknowledge receipt of your letter, in which you write about the possibility of securing a position in poultry shechitah. It appears this would be in Jerusalem and its surroundings—or at least in a place where you would not be isolated. This reasoning seems sound to me, and may it be with success both materially and spiritually. May you use your talents to strengthen and spread Judaism in your current environment.
This stands in contrast to the mistaken view that tests of faith are limited to our former country (the Soviet Union), and that beyond its borders there is no need for spiritual awakening or self-sacrifice. Sadly, we see that the test of freedom—where one can do as he pleases without external pressure—is also a difficult one.
Since you are someone who witnessed firsthand how people stood with self-sacrifice for Torah learning and mitzvah observance under terrible decrees, your words will surely be more impactful when you now encourage those around you to study Torah with awe of Heaven and fulfill mitzvos in their plain, practical sense. As our sages teach: whoever sustains even one Jewish soul is considered as if he upheld an entire world.
With blessings for good news in all the above.
Due to the sanctity of the festival, the Rebbe did not personally sign, and I am signing on his behalf,
The Secretary
B"H, 17 Nissan, 5717.
Brooklyn.
Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n Rav Pe'alim Aharon Rabinowitz
Shalom u'Vrachah!
I acknowledge receipt of your letter, in which you write about the possibility of securing a position in poultry shechitah. It appears this would be in Jerusalem, the holy city, may it be rebuilt and established, and its surroundings—or at least in a place where you would not be isolated. This reasoning seems sound to me, and may it be with success both materially and spiritually. May you use your talents to strengthen Judaism and spread it in your current environment.
This stands in contrast to those mistaken who say that tests of faith are only found in our former country (the Soviet Union), and that beyond its borders there is no need for spiritual awakening or self-sacrifice. Unfortunately, we see that the test of lacking persecution and having freedom to do as one pleases is also a difficult test.
Since you are someone who witnessed firsthand how people stood with self-sacrifice for Torah study and mitzvah observance under terrible decrees, your words will surely be more impactful when you now encourage those around you regarding Torah study with awe of Heaven and practical mitzvah observance as required. As our sages teach: whoever sustains even one Jewish soul is considered as if he upheld an entire world.
With blessings for good news in all the above.
Due to the sanctity of the festival, the Rebbe did not personally sign; I am signing on his behalf.
Summary
The Rebbe encourages using one's skills for communal benefit wherever one lives and reminds us that spiritual challenges exist even without external oppression. Inspiring others through personal experience can have a profound impact on strengthening Judaism.