5460 —האחריות לשמור על ערכי התורה בלי קשר למקום

Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 15 — Letter #5460
B”H, 18 Iyar, 5717 (May 17, 1957)
Brooklyn, New York

Shalom U’Vracha,

The Rebbe responds to the recipient’s letter from Wednesday, in which he discussed his desire to leave his present place of employment and relocate elsewhere within Morocco. The recipient explained the reasons motivating the proposed change and requested the Rebbe’s guidance and opinion.

The Rebbe instructs him to present the entire matter, with all its details and circumstances, before Harav HaChossid Reb Shlomo Mattasov, the Rebbe’s representative and emissary in Morocco.

The Rebbe describes Rabbi Mattasov as a man filled with activity and blessed with refined character traits, someone thoroughly familiar with the realities and conditions in Morocco. Furthermore, the Rebbe emphasizes that Rabbi Mattasov genuinely seeks the recipient’s welfare and best interests. Therefore, the Rebbe advises him to consult with Rabbi Mattasov fully and honestly regarding the entire situation.

At the same time, the Rebbe strongly addresses one particular aspect of the recipient’s letter that caused concern.

The recipient had implied that in his current environment he was unable to conduct himself properly in matters of Torah and mitzvos, whereas in a different location he believed he would improve spiritually and behave more appropriately.

The Rebbe responds sharply to this line of thinking.

The Rebbe writes that such reasoning is surprising, as though one were suggesting that the obligations of Torah and mitzvos apply only in certain places and not in others, or as though the powers of the G‑dly soul function differently depending upon geographical surroundings.

The Rebbe emphasizes that a Jew possesses the strength to fulfill Torah and mitzvos wherever he may be. The powers of the neshamah are not dependent on one’s physical location. A person cannot excuse spiritual shortcomings by claiming that a different environment would automatically transform his behavior or spiritual standing.

The Rebbe acknowledges that Chazal do indeed state that certain places possess more difficult spiritual climates than others. Nevertheless, in this particular case, the locations being discussed were not fundamentally different in that regard. Rather, the distinction stemmed primarily from the recipient’s personal preference and desire to be in one place instead of another.

Such preferences, the Rebbe explains, do not lessen one’s obligation to live according to the Torah and the commandments of Hashem. A Jew’s responsibility to fulfill Torah and mitzvos remains constant regardless of surroundings, circumstances, or personal comfort.

The Rebbe therefore cautions the recipient not to attribute spiritual struggles merely to external environment. One must recognize that Hashem is present everywhere and that the G‑dly soul possesses the same ability to serve Hashem faithfully in every location.

The Rebbe emphasizes that while there may be legitimate practical reasons to relocate, one should not imagine that a change of place alone will solve matters of spiritual conduct or responsibility.

Toward the conclusion of the letter, the Rebbe reminds him to remain steadfast in the daily study cycles instituted by the Frierdiker Rebbe — Chitas: Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya — in addition to maintaining regular study sessions in both Nigleh and Chassidus.

The Rebbe concludes with blessings.

This letter highlights the Rebbe’s profound emphasis on personal responsibility in avodas Hashem. While acknowledging that environments and circumstances may present challenges, the Rebbe teaches that true spiritual growth depends primarily upon one’s inner commitment, discipline, and consistent effort, rather than external conditions alone.