5633 —הדרכת התורה על נסיעות באניות ושמירת שבת

B"H, 11 Menachem Av, 5717.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letters from the 22nd and 23rd of Tammuz. May it be G‑d's will that the beginning of the discussion regarding the ship issue will bring about real progress toward resolving the matter in accordance with the directives of our Torah, the Torah of Life. One interpretation is that Torah is a guide for daily life in every place and every era, as "this Torah will never be changed," etc.

And since our Sages said: "Istakel b'Orayta u'vara alma" (He looked into the Torah and created the world), it is impossible—and against logic—that matters in the world should interfere with or prevent fulfilling what is stated in Torah. It is simply not possible; even simple logic dictates that an effect cannot be stronger than its cause. Especially in our case, where the effect is only a very small part of the cause's matters—and moreover, the cause itself is far loftier than being a mere cause at all; as explained at length by Rabah Zakai Tanya ch. 4: it is His will and wisdom—no thought can grasp Him at all—and certainly has no connection to worlds; only "Elokim hevin darkah veyada mekomah" (G‑d understood its way and knew its place) (see at length Kuntres Acharon in Tanya on 'Zemiros karit lehu').

Enclosed is an excerpt from a recent letter discussing a ship that sailed from Eretz Yisrael to Marseilles on Thursday—that is, a journey which by all opinions could be made without desecrating Shabbat since it does not require more than six days—and yet it sailed differently. It was not enough that rabbis held... a prayer service on it the day before! This gives approval to ship owners for something which by all opinions is forbidden by Torah law! And after all this, can there still be room for your question about possibly offending someone's honor?

I must say that after all this I do not know if I would have gotten involved if not for such conduct as above; and generally, ship travel brings destruction even to Shabbat observance here—even though even without this it's not as desired—and thus this matter has become an issue for New York City and its residents as well. Moreover, as I wrote you previously, some who are careful about G‑d's word do not see this as an issue at all since rabbis in Eretz Yisrael act as described in the enclosed excerpt and so on.

Regarding the jubilee book where you wish to print my letters about ships—another letter copy is also enclosed—if these letters are printed as they are without softening them, then although as I explained previously it is not customary for Beit HaRav to participate in jubilee books or similar projects for understandable reasons, since my father-in-law Haraha"g etc., shlita—the jubilee honoree—is among those I consulted about this matter (see Letter 4709), it is clear you may publish them wherever you see fit.

Concerning what you write about the Yekaterinoslav book—they are trying to find a connection with Landsmannschaft; when something concrete develops they will correspond with you.

Regards to your household... May you have good news regarding all mentioned above—and especially concerning ships.

Blessings for good news in these matters.

Enclosed herewith is a copy of my talk before children at Camp Gan Israel under Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch; as its opening indicates I directed it to all Jewish children—especially those whom I mention [and] your son Yehuda Leib—as is obvious and simple.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Torah must guide every aspect of life regardless of circumstance or location. Even practical challenges like ship travel must align with halachic standards, reinforcing communal responsibility for Shabbat observance everywhere.