Impact of Matzah Distribution and Ongoing Outreach

Holy Letters of the Rebbe – Volume 15, Letter 5416
Baruch Hashem, the first day of Iyar, 5717, Brooklyn. Addressed to Reb Chossid, Yechiel Michoel Yehuda Leib שי׳ Zalmanov. Shalom u’Vracha.

The Rebbe writes that after a long interruption, he received his letter of the 23rd of Nissan together with the two earlier letters. He expresses gratitude to Hashem for the good news that his mother’s health had improved.

The Rebbe says it was a pleasure to read that the amount of Shmura Matzah distributed had doubled. The Rebbe strongly encouraged the spreading of handmade Shmura Matzah so that every Jew should have at least enough for the Seder.

The Rebbe adds that he hopes the increase was not only in quantity, but in quality as well. In other words, those who received the matzah should also have been strengthened inwardly. Concerning these matzos, the Zohar calls them Michla D’Meheimnusa—the bread of faith. Therefore, the Rebbe hopes that their trust in Hashem in all matters had likewise grown deeper and stronger.

The Rebbe explains that since this was already the second time, and the impression from the first time still remained, the effect should now be even greater. As our sages teach, Kedusha einah zazah mimkomah—holiness does not depart from its place. Every holy act leaves a lasting imprint.

The Rebbe emphasizes that one should not be satisfied with a one-time action. Rather, it is important to remain in contact with those who received the matzah throughout the year, to encourage them and keep them connected. The Rebbe guided his chassidim not only to perform mitzvos for others, but to build ongoing relationships.

The Rebbe writes this in order to stress the promise of our holy Rebbeim: whenever one puts effort into inspiring another Jew, that effort never returns empty-handed. If one helps another person—whether by giving Shmura Matzah, helping him put on Tefillin, or through any other mitzvah—the act always creates awakening and positive change.

Knowing this gives a person added strength to continue working even harder. When one sees that effort brings results, success itself becomes a source of further motivation.

The Rebbe also encourages publicizing all such activities. He notes that these efforts were being reported in Machanayim, and reminds him that whenever one publishes news of an activity, it should always be accompanied by words of encouragement toward practical Yiddishkeit in the future.

The Rebbe further expresses hope that everyone who is able to help should participate in the rishum—registering children for religious schools. In Eretz Yisrael there were various school systems, and Chabad operated the network of Reshet Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak. This required active outreach to parents so their children would receive a proper Torah education.

The Rebbe concludes with a blessing that they should see with their own eyes the tremendous success of all these efforts, openly and clearly, together with added blessings from Hashem in their personal matters as well.

He blesses him with good news in all of the above.