5911 —בנין עם עוצמה ותנופה רוחנית

B"H, 10 Kislev, 5718.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received the good news that a meeting was held between your representatives from Kfar Chabad and the appropriate office representatives, and a session was held under your leadership regarding the establishment of the housing in Kfar Chabad. I hope that this meeting will soon bring practical results, fitting the great importance of this matter.

Merit is brought about on a meritorious day—the day of redemption and victory of the Mitteler Rebbe, successor to his father the Alter Rebbe—who gave his life (as cited in a letter from my father-in-law, printed at the end of Sefer Kitzurim v’He’aros LeTanya, p. 122), stating: "Because of this self-sacrifice (of the Alter Rebbe) for the teachings of Chassidus, it was decreed in Heaven that in all matters of Torah, fear of Heaven, and good character traits, his followers and those who walk in his path will always prevail."

This strengthens my confidence that even if there are obstacles, they will be overcome—and not only will things come to fruition, but they will do so maximally and swiftly.

Since my hope is strong—as I wrote to you previously—that you will participate in the farbrengen in Kfar Chabad on Yud-Tes Kislev (the day of redemption and victory of the Alter Rebbe and with him the teachings of Chassidus), now is an opportune time to announce news about the housing at this gathering. A chassidic farbrengen has great power to break barriers—including those between what is desired/good and what is possible—so that full possibility is realized and everything comes to complete fruition.

I am told that at this aforementioned meeting they discussed building on a small scale. Although my father-in-law would often cite the Baal Shem Tov’s emphasis on "VeHayah Reisheischa Mitz’ar (Though your beginning may be small)"—and thus "your end will greatly flourish"—one can fulfill "your beginning may be small" verbally; but practically one should act broadly. If possible, my heartfelt request is that at least twenty-four apartments be built in this first stage.

Another request: that also the houses for professionals be completed; those not yet started should begin—and also be finished.

I hope that through your efforts—and as stated above regarding the Heavenly decree—all construction including this first stage will be completed by Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel Tammuz (the coming redemption day of my father-in-law).

I permit myself to appoint you as an emissary for another mitzvah related to all this: I am enclosing herewith a check from London’s fundraising campaign for Vaad HaKfar’s benefit toward building these homes; a second check is my personal participation as well (also counted toward Vaad HaKfar’s pledged sum). Thank you for delivering these checks to their purpose.

Our Sages said: "Anyone involved in building becomes impoverished," yet on that same page it says every person without a home is not truly a person (Yevamos 63a). I wish to explain this seeming contradiction: To establish a true building—a comprehensive one uniting a person with all his possessions so all are elevated to their highest level (that being Adam—so called because he resembles Above)—it’s not enough to use only revealed powers of one’s soul; such a house won’t last forever. Only when one ‘becomes impoverished’—meaning invests all revealed strengths plus draws from hidden essential powers—does one lay foundations, build walls up to the roof and beyond; then it becomes ‘the splendor of man’ (having worked hard for it), truly making it a home. This applies spiritually as well—especially as explained in Chassidus by the Alter Rebbe in his discourse “Mizmor Shir Chanukas HaBayis,” printed at end of Likkutei Torah Parshas Berachah.

With such an approach there is no doubt these homes will be built as described above (though even this seems ‘a small beginning’ to me). I hope too that "one who has one hundred desires two hundred; two hundred desires four hundred," so when you and those influenced by you see success here you’ll want double or quadruple—and with G‑d’s help even this desire will be fulfilled.

With honor and blessing for good news regarding all above—and for a joyful, active farbrengen.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true accomplishment—in both physical construction and spiritual growth—requires investing not only our revealed strengths but also our deepest resources. By combining practical action with spiritual momentum, we can overcome obstacles and achieve lasting success beyond initial limitations.