ב"ה, אדר"ח אייר, תשי"ח
ברוקלין
שלום וברכה!
... אף שאינו מזכיר עד"ז תקותי חזקה שיודע ע"ד המסופר בע"פ וגם בהנדפסים, שצ"ל עין איש הישראלי טובה גם בשל אחרים, וכששומעים דברי התעוררות ודברי חסידות, לא להטמינם בצלחת, שאז ע"פ הרוב אינו פועל אפילו על עצמו, אלא להשתדל למסור אותם גם לאחרים שאז מתגדלת גם הפעולה בהנוגע לעצמו, וכנראה במוחש וע"ד מארז"ל, ומתלמידי יותר מכולם.
Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 17, Letter 6,202. Baruch Hashem. The first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, 5718, Brooklyn. Shalom u’Vracha.
This is a short note from the Rebbe.
The Rebbe writes that even though the recipient did not mention this matter in his letter, it is nevertheless his strong hope that he is aware of what has already been conveyed orally and also published in writing: that a Jewish person must have a good eye toward others as well.
The meaning is that when a person sees something positive, hears something uplifting, receives encouragement, or gains inspiration, he should not keep it only for himself.
If one hears words that strengthen him, words of Chassidus, or ideas that awaken and inspire him, he should not hide them away for his own private benefit alone. A person should make the effort to pass them on to others as well.
The Rebbe explains that when someone keeps such inspiration entirely to himself, in many cases it will not even have its full effect upon him personally. But when he shares it with others, the influence becomes stronger and deeper within himself as well.
This letter appears to continue the theme of the previous letters. The recipient had become inspired by teachings he encountered, and the Rebbe is guiding him not to let that inspiration remain private. What has uplifted you should become a source of uplift for others.
This reflects the teaching of our sages: a person learns much from his teachers, more from his friends, and most of all from his students.
When one must teach, explain, clarify, and communicate an idea to others, he himself gains the deepest understanding. The process of sharing forces a person to think more clearly, understand more deeply, and absorb the lesson more fully.
The Rebbe is therefore encouraging him: do not keep your inspiration to yourself alone. Spread it, teach it, and share with others what you have learned and what has strengthened you.
In doing so, not only will others benefit, but you yourself will come to a deeper, stronger, and more lasting understanding.