ב"ה, ט' אייר, תשי"ז
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
במענה על מכתבו מיום החמישי, בו כותב אודות הצעת משרת ש"ץ לימים הנוראים הבע"ל, וצריך להיות שם לבחינה.
נכונה סברתו לנסוע לשם באוירון ולא ברכבת, כי חבל על הזמן, ויהי רצון שיצליח בנסיעתו זו באופן הטוב לפניו ולפני ב"ב שיחיו בגשמיות וברוחניות גם יחד.
מהנכון שיקבל עליו עוד שליחות מצוה לשם, זאת אומרת שיפעול באותן הימים שיהי' שם בעניני החזקת היהדות והפצתה ומהם גם אמירת דברי תורה וחסידות והתעוררות ליראת שמים ברבים אם בצורת נאום או לימוד מבפנים וכו' מתאים לתנאי המקום.
בעת רצון אזכיר את גיסו וב"ב שיחיו להמצטרך להם בגו"ר ואשר מתוך מנוחת הנפש אמיתית והרחבת הפרנסה יגדלו את כל ילידיהם שיחיו לתורה ולחופה ולמעשים טובים, מוארים אור וחיות חסידותי.
בברכה.
In the holy letters of the Rebbe in Volume 15, letter number 5,440, this is dated Baruch Hashem, the 9th of Iyar, 5717, Brooklyn. Shalom u’vracha.
Here the Rebbe is addressing a person who was offered the possibility of serving as a chazzan, leading the services for a congregation during the High Holidays. Before hiring him, they wanted what is called in Yiddish a probeh—a trial performance or test—to determine whether he was suited for the role.
He wrote to the Rebbe on Thursday that he had received this opportunity to become a Shliach Tzibbur for the coming Yamim Nora’im, and that he needed to travel there for the test. He also wrote that he was considering flying rather than traveling by train. In those years, in 1957, flying was not as common as it later became, and many people still traveled by train.
The Rebbe responds that he agrees with the idea of flying, because otherwise it would be a shame and a waste of time.
The Rebbe blesses him that he should be successful in this journey—in other words, that he should pass the test and receive the position—in a manner that will be good for him and for his family members, both materially and spiritually together.
However, the Rebbe adds an important instruction. Since he is already traveling there for the purpose of work and opportunity, he should also make himself into a Shliach Mitzvah while there. During the days he is in that city, he should strengthen Yiddishkeit and help spread it within the community.
Part of that mission should include speaking words of Torah, words of Chassidus, and words that inspire Yiras Shamayim in public. This could be done in the form of a speech, a class, learning from a text with others, or in whatever manner best fits the conditions and possibilities of that place.
The Rebbe’s message is that even when one travels for personal reasons, one should elevate the journey into a holy mission. Since he is already there, he should use the opportunity to encourage others through Torah, Chassidus, and the strengthening of Jewish life.
The Rebbe further writes that at an auspicious time he will mention the writer’s brother-in-law and his family, may they live, for all that they need physically and spiritually. He blesses them with true menuchas hanefesh, inner peace and calm, and with parnassah in abundance and with ease.
The Rebbe continues with a blessing that they should merit to raise their children for Torah, for chuppah, and for good deeds, illuminated with the light and vitality of Chassidus. The letter concludes with a blessing.
The practical lesson is clear. The Rebbe encouraged him to fly in order not to waste time, but more importantly, to use the entire trip for a higher purpose. A person may travel for business, livelihood, or opportunity, but every journey can also become a mission to bring holiness, encouragement, and Torah to others.
Summary – The Rebbe teaches that no trip should remain merely personal or practical. Whenever a Jew goes somewhere, the journey itself can become a mission—using time, talent, and opportunity to uplift others and spread Torah wherever one arrives.