5812 —אחריות למוסדות חב"ד והנהגה אמיתית

B"H, 29 Tishrei, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your two letters from before the festival. Regarding your question about my intention concerning who should be responsible in an institution so that it will have a Chabad character: it is surprising that there is even a doubt about this, as the matter is to be taken literally. Even in an institution with no other owners, if there is no one responsible who knows he must bear responsibility, the institution cannot exist properly—and sometimes cannot exist at all.

Although I refrain from causing anyone pain, for the sake of the matter I must bring proof even from the four cubits of... who tried and even established a branch of tzt"z in... where both he and... were present. Not only did it not develop, but after a very short time it was completely closed down. All of Anash together could not maintain it, without even emphasizing the public embarrassment! Of course I remember all the reasons you and the rabbi... wrote, but then and now—I am surprised that you do not recognize the situation as it is: that the tzt"z branch in... is to the merit of Anash of..., and primarily it is the duty of the rabbis of Anash—who are called mara d'asra according to Chassidus—to immediately upon their arrival establish in... four cubits of Torah and Chassidus—not just for themselves but especially for the younger generation who must soon build Jewish homes.

It has been heard many times that the temimim must specifically be "candles to illuminate." After so many years have passed without anything being done—and after members of the management... aroused Anash of... regarding their aforementioned duty and even assisted financially and by bringing students to establish...—he and his rabbi colleagues interpreted things exactly opposite from what they are; i.e., they think they are doing a favor to the management by helping establish the branch, and if management does not hold up financially etc., their hands are withdrawn—when in fact it is entirely the opposite.

Is it believable that both serve as rabbis, involved in guarding so many "vineyards": kosher meat; kosher divorce documents; kosher marriages etc.—but "my own vineyard," i.e., spreading Chassidus (which now in Eretz HaKodesh can only be done by founding an educational institution), they have decided is not their concern at all—and therefore imagine they are also incapable? All the more so: if something was founded by management..., he and his rabbi colleague could not maintain or continue it—while in this city much money is given for maintaining institutions and there are students for such schools—it is highly doubtful that if an institution were founded by an active person (as seems from above), then also here most activity would be by this person alone, merely using their names for a Chabad aura. Certainly they would not hurry or consult about its development; thus from day one or at least during its first weeks, when the founding rabbi sees they are not eager for its growth, he will leave them alone—and then the institution will have no connection to Chabad except for its name. And I am not interested in publicity without substance but rather in spreading the wellsprings—as our Sages taught regarding all matters of Torah: "If you did not toil and found [results], do not believe." He will not delve into this nor will his rabbi colleague exert himself—as past experience shows. The founding rabbi sees no reason why suddenly he should become interested in a new matter that is not his responsibility.

I have elaborated on all this—perhaps with sharp expressions—in response to your letter's conclusion: "Indeed we too regret (the way Chabad institutions are run in Eretz HaKodesh), we wish to do something to fix things etc., but apparently it is impossible for known reasons etc." As I wrote long ago: reasons (plural) I do not know; only one reason—the general rule: "better to sit and do nothing." The pain—mine as well as theirs—is well known; as we have often heard from our Rebbeim: "One action is better than a thousand sighs."

You ask what I want, what is lacking, what needs fixing: Eretz HaKodesh is full of educational institutions—yeshivot, cheders, tzt"z—not only those founded decades ago but new ones every morning. If only there were jealousy... In recent years many institutions have been established—even though they did not merit even a fraction of our Rebbeim's guidance or much good poured upon temimim and Anash from their Torah and self-sacrifice. Yet everything seems upside down...

It should be understood that my words above are directed not only at you but at all Anash in Eretz HaKodesh except for a few individuals—who can be counted on one hand—who strive to do what depends on them...

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true leadership requires taking personal responsibility for establishing authentic Chabad educational institutions. Passive excuses or relying on others leads nowhere; only active involvement ensures lasting impact aligned with Chassidic values.