5555 —בחירת שם חדש לחבורה חדשה במאנטעווידעא

B"H, 28 Sivan, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Mr. Shlomo.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from 6/18, it is surprising that you do not write what you are involved with in Montevideo, about your fixed times for study in our Torah of life—which is our life and the length of our days—and the channel and vessel for receiving blessings from Hashem, the Giver of the Torah, for all that a person needs both materially and spiritually. Surely you will include this information next time.

Regarding your question as to why it is not advisable to call the group in Montevideo by the name 'Shuvah Yisrael': The reason is that there is no matter or organization in the world without some deficiency or flaw; only Hashem is perfect, as described in the holy Zohar as 'the perfection of everything.' Since every matter has some shortcoming—and we see this clearly—there are people who do not wish to join something because of its flaws, even if they find all other aspects agreeable. Therefore, when forming a new group in a new place and wanting as many Jews as possible to join, it is better to give this group a new name rather than an old one—even such as Shuvah Yisrael whose purpose is Torah and mitzvos—so that even those who have criticism of Shuvah Yisrael (justified or not) will not be deterred from joining the new group.

It is understood that this would be different if you were opening a branch or department; then it would be appropriate for the branch to bear the central organization's name. But with a new group as above, this does not apply.

You surely know about the custom to say each day after morning prayers the daily portion of Tehillim—as divided according to the days of the month—and it is also proper that every weekday before morning prayers you set aside some coins for tzedakah (without making a vow).

With blessing,

In the name of the Rebbe shlita

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when forming a new group, choosing a fresh name avoids past associations and encourages wider participation. He also reminds about daily Torah study and giving tzedakah before prayer.