6051 - From the Outside In – An Ever-Advancing Mission

The holy letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, letter number 6051. Baruch Hashem, the 14th of Shevat, 5718, Brooklyn. The letter is addressed to a devoted chassid, Moreinu Meir Shalom Sheyichye Belizinsky.

He was a remarkable individual who taught Tanya and Chassidus—primarily Tanya—to many people. Through his teaching, a large number of influential individuals later became close to Chabad and to the Rebbe. His impact was profound.

Originally from Poland, having lived in Warsaw and Otwock, he later settled in Ramat Gan. He did not come from a Lubavitch family, but at some point he encountered the Tanya. It deeply resonated with him, and he became fully committed. Eventually, he was able to attract and teach many others through his classes.

The Rebbe addresses him warmly: “Moreinu Meir Shalom Sheyichye, Shalom u’Bracha.” The Rebbe writes that after a very long interruption, he received his letter dated the 5th of Shevat, in which he briefly reports on his activities in spreading the wellsprings.

Implicitly, the Rebbe notes that much time had passed since his last letter and that this one was quite brief, hinting that he should write more frequently and in greater detail. The Rebbe offers a blessing: “Yehi Ratzon”—may it be Hashem’s will—that he should bring good news, continually ascending in holiness (maalin bakodesh), always increasing and expanding his efforts.

The Rebbe emphasizes the idea of spreading the wellsprings outward—step by step. Once the “outside” is reached and influenced, it is no longer truly outside; it becomes part of the inside. The work, therefore, must continue ever further outward.

The Rebbe illustrates this with a concept relating to the future redemption. Certain levels of G-dliness are currently accessible in an internalized way, while others remain surrounding, known as makifim. With the coming of Mashiach, those higher, surrounding levels will become internalized. At that point, even higher levels of makifim will emerge. Growth is continuous: once something is brought inward, an even higher level is revealed.

Similarly, in the present time, when an “outside” is transformed into an “inside,” there is always another, more distant level that still needs to be reached and elevated.

The Rebbe encourages him to continue reaching ever further, drawing people closer to Chassidus and Yiddishkeit. The Rebbe notes with pleasure that he is connecting to individuals who have influence over many—writers, publicists, and other leaders of public opinion.

The Rebbe adds that his influence should not only expand but deepen. Influence is not merely breadth; it is depth. Just as there are different “outsides” among different people, there are also deeper layers within each individual that can be reached over time. One must repeatedly bring what was previously external into the inner life of the person.

The Rebbe concludes with a prayer that the merit of the Baal HaHillula—the Frierdiker Rebbe, whose yahrzeit had just passed—should bring tremendous success in all of his activities, especially those areas for which the Frierdiker Rebbe gave over his holy soul.

This merit should draw additional blessings from Hashem, bringing success in every detail, for all those involved in this work and for their families, both materially and spiritually. The Rebbe blesses him with good news in all the above, expressing satisfaction with the report while encouraging continued growth—reaching further outward and deeper inward.