5744 —בנין כפר חב"ד עם חזון והתרחבות מתוכננת

B"H, 17 Elul, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"m oseik b'tzorkhei tzibbur ba'al middos terumios anaf etz avot etc. Maharshaz Shazar

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In continuation to my previous letter in response to your letter—which surely arrived in due time—I have received the news that the Agency has decided to return to the village a significant sum (regarding what was spent on electricity matters), and I see in this as well a clear sign for the success of the village's affairs. For a long time I have thought regarding the plan—which in my opinion is essential, as I have spoken and written to you before—that it is necessary for the village to develop and expand not only in quality but also in quantity. Especially since these two are interconnected; and here, quantity refers to the number of residents.

Given the current state of the village—lack of housing, especially suitable housing, and also lack of sufficient resources—they were forced to build house by house. In such cases one sees that there is no overall plan for all the houses: no house resembles another; their locations within the village are not coordinated according to a unified plan, etc. All these shortcomings can be prevented only in one way: by approaching construction through building many houses at once—which under current conditions requires a substantial sum immediately. Until now this was not possible.

When I received this aforementioned news, I immediately wrote my opinion about it to the village committee: that this is an opportunity granted—to develop the village in a planned manner, at least much more planned than otherwise. Therefore, they should invest all the funds into building housing; naturally they should also seek assistance through mortgages and loans as are given in such cases so that the number of apartments built will be maximized according to possibility; and they should consult with experts about preparing an appropriate construction plan.

Knowing your interest in all matters of the village—especially such an exceptional step for its quantitative and qualitative expansion—I am writing this to you with strong confidence that not only does it fit your perspective but you will further add your advice and help to the committee in perfecting the housing plan as much as possible since you are present on site and know the conditions.

Certainly there are several matters in the village—some even necessary—that require financial assistance; there may be suggestions to use these funds for those purposes too. But in my opinion this is entirely inappropriate. Those matters need sums that do not require an extraordinary event or significant funds like these; surely over time other opportunities will arise to meet those needs (and proof: those involved did not know previously about these returned funds). The housing construction has been delayed for some time already, leading to an undesirable situation where several people approached the committee wishing to settle there but were turned away due to lack of housing—and settled elsewhere instead. Who knows if now they will want—or even if they want—whether they can change their residence again and settle in Kfar Chabad?

Certainly when news of new housing spreads, many more who wish to settle—who are suitable from every perspective but were prevented only by lack of housing—will come forward.

May it be G‑d's will that as we approach Chai Elul—the birthday of both great luminaries, the Baal Shem Tov and our Rebbe HaZaken—who illuminated the world with their Torah and deeds and established their approach based on caring for both spiritual and material welfare of Jews without conditions (yet without forgetting reality: true good comes from uniting both), as elaborated regarding Baal Shem Tov's approach (see Kuntres Chai Elul 5703, sicha 4) and well-known among Chabad chassidim regarding our Rebbe HaZaken—so too may Kfar Chabad in our holy land become a living example of spiritual-material unity: complete integration that grows ever stronger. From it may a chassidic way of life spread on weekdays, Shabbat, and holidays—to ever-widening circles—for great satisfaction and merit for all who took part or take part in Kfar Chabad's affairs and its residents—and may this too continue growing ever greater.

I await good news regarding all mentioned above—including what is between the lines—and conclude with our sacred traditional formula passed down through generations among our people: With blessings for being inscribed and sealed for a good sweet year—for you and all yours.

P.S.: I have also received further news about increasing allocation of plots for expanding agriculture in the village; preparations are underway to begin planting orchards soon. Although I have not yet received details, surely you know them as well. May this expansion too proceed successfully according to plan—in both material and spiritual ways.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true growth comes from thoughtful planning which unites spiritual vision with practical action. Investing resources wisely enables lasting expansion that benefits both individuals and community—serving as a model for integrating holiness into daily life.