Transforming a Challenging Environment into a Mission

Letters of the Rebbe, volume 17, letter number 6157. Baruch Hashem, the fourth day of Nissan, 5718, Brooklyn. Shalom u’Vracha.

The Rebbe says that after a lengthy silence, I received your letter from the second of Nissan. And in that letter, it is not very clear the reason that you had not informed the entire time that you settled in. They had moved from Montreal to another place, and it does not say where they moved.

And now she writes about the environment where they live now, how it is totally not like the environment as it was in Montreal, that it is not as religious.

So the Rebbe says that it is unnecessary to elaborate at length that being in a less observant environment should itself awaken and arouse those who understand and value the preciousness of Torah and mitzvos. Now that you find yourself in a place where there is so much lacking spiritually, you must throw yourself into it with great energy, vitality, and strength, to the maximum extent.

On the contrary, precisely because there is less there, and you appreciate the value of Yiddishkeit, you must invest yourself fully to do whatever you can to change that situation. And over time, you will be able to bring about an improvement.

And who knows, the Rebbe says, perhaps this was the main purpose of your husband’s livelihood—that you came there for your spiritual livelihood, to accomplish something in that place, to improve its spiritual standing.

The Rebbe says it is known from a letter of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, in the name of his grandfather, the Rebbe Maharash, that physical sustenance can be provided by Hashem in any place. One does not need to travel to a specific location for parnassah.

And it is impossible, the Rebbe says, that in such a situation one would not be able to accomplish something, especially those who have merited the teachings of Chassidus, its guidance and its customs, and who have the blessings and assistance of our Rebbeim to succeed in spreading Yiddishkeit.

The Rebbe says that you will be successful in spreading Yiddishkeit and all its aspects. And therefore, in my opinion, this is not connected to the question of where you should settle in the future. In any case, this does not apply for this summer, and certainly you will still be there during that time.

You must begin to search, with proper desire, for different ways and directions to influence in Yiddishkeit, both yourself and your husband, may he live. And surely also in this place will be fulfilled the saying of our sages, “Yagati u’matzasi”—if you put in effort, you will find. And the merit of working in such an environment is immeasurably great.

The Rebbe says to the extent that even if you were still in Montreal, it would be worthwhile to travel specifically for this purpose. Certainly now that you are already there, you must take advantage of the opportunity.

And perhaps, the Rebbe says, when you will fulfill your mission in spreading the wellsprings in that place, you will then see the path forward, and it will become clear that you can leave, as the verse says about leaving Egypt “b’rechush gadol,” with great gain—meaning with many accomplishments in Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, ready to proceed to the next place.

The Rebbe says that he is sending this letter out of order, hoping that these words will have their proper effect, and that you will begin influencing your surroundings, especially in matters connected to Pesach. May Hashem grant you success.

And the Rebbe concludes with a blessing for a Chag Pesach Kasher v’Sameach.

So the Rebbe is explaining that if you came to a place and it lacks Yiddishkeit, perhaps that is exactly why you were sent there—to bring Yiddishkeit there. And the Rebbe says you have the ability to make a change.

The Rebbe brings the teaching of the Rebbe Maharash that physical livelihood can come from anywhere, and if you are placed somewhere, it is because there is a purpose there. You must look for ways to act and influence. If you put in effort, you will succeed.

The Rebbe adds that even if you were not there, it would be worthwhile to go there for such a purpose. Certainly now that you are already there, you must act. And perhaps after fulfilling your mission, it will become clear that you can move on to the next stage.

Summary
The Rebbe teaches that every environment is a Divine mission. Rather than retreating from challenges, one must actively elevate their surroundings, trusting that effort in spreading Yiddishkeit brings success and reveals one’s true path forward.

אגרות קודש של הרבי, כרך י״ז, מכתב מספר 6157. ברוך השם, ד׳ ניסן תשי״ח, ברוקלין. שלום וברכה.

הרבי כותב שקיבל את מכתבך לאחר זמן רב, ובו את מתארת את המעבר ממונטריאול למקום חדש שבו הרמה הרוחנית נמוכה יותר.

הרבי מדגיש שאין צורך להאריך בהסבר עד כמה מצב כזה צריך לעורר אדם שמכיר בערך התורה והמצוות. דווקא במקום שבו חסר רוחניות, יש להשקיע את כל הכוחות ולהתמסר לפעול בו.

ייתכן שכל המעבר היה מלכתחילה כדי שתפעלו שם—זו פרנסתכם הרוחנית. הרבי מביא בשם אדמו״ר מהר״ש שפרנסה גשמית יכולה להגיע מכל מקום, אך אם אדם נמצא במקום מסוים, הרי זה משום שיש לו שליחות שם.

הרבי קובע שאין זה שייך כעת לשאלה אם לעבור למקום אחר, ובוודאי בקיץ תישארו שם. לכן עליכם להתחיל לחפש דרכים לפעול ולהשפיע על הסביבה, הן אתם והן בעלך.

אם תשקיעו מאמץ, יתקיים “יגעת ומצאת”, והזכות לפעול במקום כזה היא גדולה מאוד. אפילו אילו הייתם במונטריאול, היה כדאי לנסוע במיוחד למקום כזה כדי לפעול בו—כל שכן כאשר אתם כבר שם.

ייתכן שלאחר שתמלאו את שליחותכם, יתברר לכם שהגיע הזמן לעבור הלאה, כפי שנאמר “ברכוש גדול”.

הרבי מסיים בתקווה שהדברים יפעלו את פעולתם, שתתחילו להשפיע בסביבתכם, במיוחד בענייני פסח, ומברך בהצלחה ובחג פסח כשר ושמח.