6011 —הוצאת כתבי כ"ק אדמו"ר הרש"ב המוקדמים והרחבת כפר חב"ד

B"H, 24 Teves, Hilula of Rabbeinu HaZaken, 5718.

Brooklyn, NY.

Havavach iy"a nu"m involved with tzt"z possessing elevated character traits, branch of Etz Avot etc. Maharshaz Shazar

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your telegram confirming receipt of the two books of Rabbeinu HaZaken, and for several reasons my letter was delayed until today, his yahrzeit. As I wrote in my previous letter regarding physical construction: no matter how much one estimates what must be invested in building, when it comes to actual implementation one becomes impoverished and needs hidden strengths—even one's own essential powers. How much more so regarding spiritual construction! As our Sages said: "Ani chomah zu Torah" (I am a wall—this is Torah), even when it is only about publicizing or revealing a structure that already exists.

This has been confirmed for me: when I began editing these manuscripts I estimated how much attention and depth would be required—and from the outset I estimated generously—but when it came to practice I found that neither the time nor attention I had allotted were sufficient at all. Moreover, the very involvement and preparation for printing—even proofreading after typesetting these maamarim—transports one to "another world," a higher world. Especially since many of the maamarim in these two volumes are from before Petersburg about which the Previous Rebbe (the Rebbe Rashab) said: "The maamarim from before Petersburg set the world on fire; this is literally a blow from Above." (Yom Kippur 5663).

It is commonly said in such cases that if one had foreseen all the effort and toil involved in such work—especially if there are also matters of anguish—who knows if one would have entered into it at all? But in our case—even though, as mentioned above, I did not even approximately estimate how much would be required for this matter—especially considering that this involvement places one in an entirely different domain—I still would have done it; perhaps just with longer preparation. And since you were among those who contributed to this endeavor, you too share in all its goodness. With thanks for having brought me thus far.

From this topic to housing: I was pleased to hear your speech at the Kfar Chabad event via recording and that you publicized it widely. According to letters I receive from Kfar Chabad's committee, things are still progressing slowly; although there are certainly many reasons for this, surely they too can be overcome with proper effort. I am certain you do not need encouragement here—the matter itself motivates.

The main reason I write about housing here is that if there is any possibility—in my opinion—the time has come not only for more housing in Kfar Chabad but also for founding a second Kfar Chabad village, planned better from the outset so that hopefully there will not be such difficult and lengthy birth pangs as with this Kfar Chabad.

I mean also material matters literally—that livelihood should not be so burdensome or limited; also that it should be somewhat distant from borders etc. In founding a second village some matters can be arranged better than in this one—including schools for older youth like a girls' seminary or teachers' school or yeshivah—the goal being both should be in Kfar Chabad but ideally not in just one village. This is also why I'm not rushing to move Yeshivat Tomchei Temimim into Kfar Chabad now.

Of course what I've written is only a general point—I am not familiar with possible locations for founding a second Kfar Chabad—and I'll await your response on this idea; surely you'll inform me about the most suitable places.

I do not know exactly how building works in Eretz HaKodesh but perhaps building a new village could also solve Shemitah year issues for many current residents of Kfar Chabad.

Since I've allowed myself to write about somewhat broad plans I'll add another point: my hope is that this housing plan and founding a second village will not detract from plans for Chabad housing in Jerusalem.

After our gathering where we spoke about housing and a second village, I mentioned what I've heard several times from my father-in-law the Previous Rebbe—a saying of his grandfather the Rebbe Maharash: "The world says if you can't go under you must go over; but I say you must go over from the outset." In many matters my father-in-law conducted himself by this principle and would say it brings added success.

May it be G‑d's will that also regarding housing things proceed accordingly—walking broadly—and may there be great success upon success.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that spiritual endeavors often require more effort than anticipated but bring great elevation; he encourages bold planning for Jewish communal growth—expanding existing institutions while envisioning new ones with both spiritual and practical foresight.