ב"ה, י"ז ניסן, תשי"ז
ברוקלין.
הרה"ג אי"א נו"נ רב פעלים בעל מדות ובעל מרץ וכו' מו"ה יהודא ארי' שי'[1]
שלום וברכה!
לאחרי הפסק הכי ארוך נעם לי לקבל פ"ש מהנעשה את כת"ר ע"י הרה"ח אי"א נו"נ עוסק בצ"צ הרחמ"א שי' חדקוב, ולהוודע אשר חזר לאיתנו וממשיך הוא בפעולותיו להחזקת היהדות והפצתה בכתב ובע"פ, ובודאי לדכוותי' למותר להעיר על שלילת הפשרות, לא רק פשרות בהנוגע לקיום המצות בפועל, שהרי זה פשוט, אלא אפילו פשרות בהנוגע לדיעות ואפילו גם פשרות בהסברת ענינים שיש אומרים שהמדע סותר השקפת התורה ומסבירים שרק זה הדרך לרכוש הנוער המאמין במדע ומסקנותיו, והרי רואים אשר רבים חללים הפילה שיטה זו, לא רק חללים בהנוגע לדיעות כוזבות אלא בעוה"ר חלישות בקיום המצות ופשיטא בהמס"נ על קיום המצות, ודוקא בנקודה זו זכה דורנו דור יתום לאור נוסף אשר אפילו אנשי המדע מודים, אשר כל המסקנות של המדע אינם אלא השערות, ואפילו לדידהו אין להקשות משמא על ברי, ז.א. משיטה שהם בעצמם מודים שאינה אלא רק השערה על שיטה שענינה ודאות וככל עניני האמונה והדת, ודוקא באירופא דרושים לאזהרה מפשרות כאלו לאחר ההירוס שפעל שיטת האפולוגתקא, וכידוע "ההסברות" בענין שנות קיום העולם שיטת ההתפתחות וכו' וע"פ מרז"ל הידוע מני' ובי' אבא לישדי בי' נרגא, כיון שכתבו ועטו בידו באותה השפה בה הפיצו שיטה האמורה ומכיר בתכונתה ונמצא במדינה שספוגה היא "חכמת ישראל" וכו' זכות נוספת עליו להתחיל בתיקון המעוות והגרעון עכ"פ במדה האפשרית, ויהי רצון שיצליח בזה.[2]
מוסג"פ העתק מכתב כללי לחג הפסח, שבטח יענין את כת"ר שי',
בברכת החג.
מפני קדושת המועד לא בא כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א על החתום והנני חותם בשמו,
המזכיר
With Hashem’s help, 17 Nissan, 5717
Brooklyn
To the esteemed Rabbi, distinguished with noble traits, tireless in his efforts,
Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh, shlit”a
Greetings and blessings!
After a very long pause, it was a pleasure to receive regards concerning your activities through the esteemed Chassid Rabbi Chodakov, and to hear that you have regained your strength and are continuing your efforts in strengthening and spreading Judaism, both in writing and orally.
Surely, it is unnecessary to point out to someone of your stature the importance of rejecting compromise—not only compromise in actual mitzvah observance, which is self-evident, but even compromise in thought and especially in the presentation of ideas. There are those who claim that science contradicts Torah beliefs and attempt to explain that the only way to influence scientifically-minded youth is through such explanations. But we see clearly how many have fallen due to this approach—not only ideologically, but unfortunately also in mitzvah observance, and certainly in their self-sacrifice for mitzvos.
Specifically in our generation—a “generation of orphans”—we have been privileged with the added clarity that even scientists now acknowledge: that all scientific conclusions are merely hypotheses. According to their own admission, these are not certainties. Therefore, one cannot question something definite—such as the truths of Torah and faith—on the basis of something they themselves admit is uncertain.
In Europe especially, we must be warned against such compromises, particularly after the damage caused by the apologetic approach. Well known are the “explanations” regarding the age of the world, the theory of evolution, etc. And as our Sages teach: “From it and within it—the axe to chop it comes from the forest itself”—meaning that since you have written and expressed yourself in the same language that was used to spread these ideas, and are familiar with its style, and reside in a place steeped in “Wissenschaft des Judentums” (Jewish academic scholarship), you are uniquely positioned to begin correcting the distortions and shortcomings, at least to the extent possible. May you succeed in this.
Enclosed is a copy of the general letter for Pesach, which will surely interest your esteemed self.
With blessings for the holiday.
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 iy"a nu"n rab pe'alim ba'al middos u'ba'al meretz etc. Yehuda Aryeh Welgemuth
Shalom u'Vrachah!
After the longest pause, it was a pleasure for me to receive regards about your activities through the esteemed chassid iy"a nu"n engaged in tzt"z haRachama shlit'a Chodakov, and to hear that you have returned to your strength and continue your efforts in strengthening and spreading Judaism both in writing and orally.
Surely for someone of your stature it is unnecessary to point out the rejection of compromises—not only compromises regarding actual mitzvah observance, which is obvious, but even compromises regarding opinions and even explanations of matters. There are those who say that science contradicts Torah outlook and explain that only this way can one reach youth who believe in science and its conclusions. Yet we see that many have fallen due to this approach—not only regarding false beliefs but unfortunately also a weakening in mitzvah observance, and certainly in self-sacrifice for mitzvos.
Specifically on this point our generation—a generation of orphans—has merited an added light: even scientists admit that all scientific conclusions are merely hypotheses. Even according to them, one cannot challenge something certain with something uncertain; i.e., using an approach they themselves admit is only a hypothesis against an approach whose essence is certainty—as with all matters of faith and religion.
Especially in Europe there is a need for warning against such compromises after the destruction caused by the apologetic approach. The "explanations" concerning the age of the world, the theory of evolution, etc., are well known. And as our Sages said: "From it and within it—the axe to chop it comes from the forest itself," meaning since you have written and expressed yourself in the same language used to spread these ideas, know its style, and live in a country steeped in Wissenschaft des Judentums (Jewish academic scholarship), you have an added merit to begin correcting what has been distorted or lacking—at least as much as possible. May you succeed in this.
Enclosed is a copy of a general letter for Pesach which will surely interest your esteemed self. With blessings for the holiday.
Due to the sanctity of the festival, the Rebbe did not personally sign; I am signing on his behalf, The Secretary
Summary
The Rebbe urges steadfastness in Torah faith without compromise—even when facing scientific theories—and highlights that even science admits its own uncertainty. He encourages using one's knowledge and position to correct misconceptions about Judaism wherever possible.