ב"ה, ט"ז שבט, תשי"ח
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
במענה למכתבו בו כותב ראשי פרקים מאשר עבר עליו במשך שנים האחרונות, ואשר בטוח שלא אבוא אליו בטרוניא, כי כלשונו במכתבו לא יכול לעזור את וכו' אינו יכול כו' בהנוגע ללמוד התורה כו' לעבודת התפלה, להתעסק בחנוך על טהרת הקדש וכו'.
וכנראה שאינו חושד את עצמו כלל שאולי ישנו ספק ספקא שאין הענין כן "דלא יכול", אלא הענין - דלא רוצה, וה"ה בהנוגע לסיום מכתבו שיכתוב כשאר אנשים פשוטים, הנה הסוג דאנשים פשוטים בהנוגע להמעלות שלהם מובן שכ"א עליו להגדיל ולהשתדל בזה, אבל לפטור את עצמו מכל אלו ההתחייבויות שבאו ממורשת אבות ע"י החינוך שקבל במשך כמה שנים וע"י הסביבה בה הי' נמצא, ולפטור א"ע מכל זה בהכרזה, שאיש פשוט הנני, מובן שאין לזה כל מקום.
ובמה ששואל אם לפעול בכיוון כו' בהנוגע להסתדרותו בעתיד, הרי גם זה פשוט שעל כ"א מבני ישראל להשתדל בהסתדרות כזו שיוכל למלאות תפקידו כדבר משנה, אני נבראתי לשמש את קוני, וככל שהאפשריות גדולים יותר (אע"פ שהאפשריות באו בלא יגיעה ובלא השתדלות כי אם בירושה או בחנוך אבות וכנ"ל) הרי גם האחריות והתפקיד גדול יותר, וביחד עם זה גם הזכות והסיוע מלמעלה.
ויהי רצון שיכיר בהאמת תוכן פתגם חז"ל אדם קרוב אצל עצמו, ולכן אינו דן על מצבו לאמיתתו, ולפעמים נוטה לימין ולפעמים לשמאל, ויעשה כהוראת המשפיע אצלו למד דא"ח, עשי' אליבא דנפשי' ויהי רצון שיבשר טוב בכל האמור.
בברכה,
בשם כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א
מזכיר
This transcription covers the commentary on Letter Number 6,057 from the Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16.
Introduction to the Letter
Date: 16th of Shevat, 5718 (1958)
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Sometimes, people seek to release themselves from their obligations. Whether out of laziness or a desire not to be bothered, they look for excuses to step back from their responsibilities.
In this particular instance, a person wrote to the Rebbe with a series of complaints and self-justifications. He essentially argued, "Don’t have any complaints against me; don’t think poorly of me, because I am simply not capable. I can’t do this, and I can’t do that." He put himself down to avoid the expectations placed upon him.
The Rebbe’s response was direct: "No, no, no. Your evaluation that you 'can’t' and 'are not able' is simply your way of excusing yourself."
The Writer’s Argument: "I Am Not Able"
The Rebbe responded to the specific points the writer had raised over the previous few years. The writer had expressed a certainty that the Rebbe would not have any grievances against him because, as he put it, "I couldn't help this," or "I'm not able to do that."
Whether it was the study of Torah, the service of Davening (prayer), or the holy task of providing a pure Jewish education to others, the writer’s refrain was always the same: "I can’t." He was convinced that his lack of ability provided him a total exemption from these duties.
The Rebbe countered this by suggesting that perhaps the writer hadn't considered a "doubt of a doubt"—a far-off possibility—that it wasn't actually a lack of ability holding him back, but rather a lack of will. He wrote that while the writer insists he "can't," the reality might simply be that he "doesn't want to."
The "Simple Jew" Facade
Toward the end of the letter, the writer attempted a different tactic. This individual had grown up in a Lubavitcher family and was deeply embedded in the Chabad system and its education. Yet, he wrote to the Rebbe saying, "I am going to write like other 'simple people.' I have no special qualifications; I’m just a simple Jew like everyone else."
The Rebbe noted that the term "simple Jew" carries a very deep and positive meaning in Chassidic thought. The Baal Shem Tov and the subsequent Rebbes loved the simple folk because they served Hashem with sincerity, innocence, and dedication. In that context, being a "simple Jew" is a profound compliment; it is a state of being that every individual should strive for.
However, the Rebbe suspected that this writer was using the term "simple person" in a derogatory or convenient sense—as a way to exempt himself from the responsibilities of his lineage, his education, and his environment. By claiming to be "just a simple person," he was trying to shed the obligations that came with his specific upbringing. The Rebbe made it clear: in this context, such an excuse is unacceptable. There is no room for it.
The Path Forward: Mission and Responsibility
The writer had also asked for guidance on how to settle down and direct his life for the future. The Rebbe’s answer was that the direction is obvious for every Jewish person: one must put in the effort to fulfill their specific mission in this world.
As the Mishnah says: "Ani nivreisi leshamesh es Koni"—"I was created to serve my Maker."
The Rebbe explained that when a person is given great opportunities, their responsibility increases accordingly. Sometimes these opportunities come without effort—as an inheritance from one's parents or through a high-quality education. Because this writer had been given so much, his possibilities were greater, and therefore his job was greater. He was told he must settle his life in a way that allows him to serve Hashem to the fullest extent possible, utilizing the unique powers and qualities he was born with.
Overcoming Self-Bias
The Rebbe concluded with a prayer that the writer should recognize the truth. He cited a well-known teaching of our Sages: "Adam karov etzel atzmo"—"A person is biased toward themselves."
Because of this innate self-bias, a person cannot be the true judge of their own situation. You cannot honestly say "I can't" or "I am unable" when your own ego is looking for an easy way out.
The Rebbe’s practical advice was for the writer to turn to his Mashpia—his Chassidic mentor and spiritual guide. He urged him to speak with the Mashpia and not rely solely on his own judgment. The Rebbe closed with a blessing that the writer should have good news to report in all these matters.