5479 —דחיפות החיזוק בפעילות להפצת היהדות

B"H, 25 Iyar, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Moshe Goldshtein

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 13th of Iyar, in which you write about your activities to strengthen and spread Judaism, it is surely unnecessary to remind you not to be satisfied with what has been achieved so far, but rather to increase your efforts according to the demand and even necessity of the time for outreach regarding all sacred aspects of traditional Judaism—pure Torah with awe of Heaven. If such outreach was always essential in every era and place, how much more so is it needed now in this bitter exile where darkness is doubled and redoubled until people mistake light for darkness and darkness for light, and false ideas not only fail to diminish but even grow stronger. If this is true outside the Land of Israel, how much more so in our holy land (may it be rebuilt and established speedily in our days through Moshiach Tzidkeinu), where any deviation from the path of the King—the King of the world Who gave us the Torah and mitzvah—in His own palace causes far greater damage and destruction, especially when such deviation becomes a fixed practice. Instead of upholding our foundational faith that we have only one G‑d and one Torah given to one nation that dwells alone and is not counted among others, some make it their slogan and guiding principle to behave like other nations or mix Heaven's name with ideals rooted in the Sitra Achra (the Other Side). Even the best among them at least mix Heaven's name with something else—which is also contrary to faith—even if that thing is permitted or even good by itself (if it were not made into an object of worship, as our Sages said: "A matzeivah [pillar] was beloved in the days of the Patriarchs," etc.).

It is understood that such outreach is not easy and will provoke opposition from various circles—and unfortunately even from those who disguise themselves as religious—but this very opposition necessitates fighting against incitement and deviation from Israel's path with all strength. Since our generation is called upon for this struggle—even though it is an orphaned generation—surely we have already been given the strength needed to wage this battle and ultimately win. Anyone who has influence within a certain circle must view this outreach as their special mission in this era.

I have already spoken at length elsewhere about our Sages' statement that "in Ikveta d'Meshicha (the footsteps before Moshiach), there is no day whose curse does not exceed..." The intention of our Sages was not G‑d forbid to frighten Israel, but rather—as with all matters of Torah (which means instruction)—to teach us that today we cannot be satisfied with yesterday's state of Judaism; since adversity has increased, this requires a corresponding increase in goodness. This should suffice.

May it be G‑d's will that you share good news regarding all the above. With blessings—in the wording used by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal—during this year: for receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every Jew must intensify efforts in spreading authentic Judaism despite challenges or opposition. Especially in difficult times, each person’s unique influence can help counter negative trends by increasing goodness and steadfastness in Torah values.