Buy, Build, and Share the Farbrengen

The Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 17, Letter 6,204. Baruch Hashem, the first day of Iyar, 5718, Brooklyn. Bracha ve’Shalom.

This letter was written to a woman who sought the Rebbe’s guidance regarding whether she should continue renting a home or purchase one instead.

The Rebbe begins by writing that he is responding to her letter, dated Friday, together with the enclosure that accompanied it.

First, the Rebbe tells her that at an auspicious time he will mention her at the holy resting place of his father-in-law, the Rebbe, for all that she needs, in accordance with everything she wrote in her letter. Whatever concerns and requests she described, the Rebbe assures her that he will mention them at the holy Tzion.

The Rebbe then addresses her practical question and writes that he agrees with the idea she mentioned of buying a house rather than renting.

He explains that it is a pity to spend money on rent paid to others when that same money could instead be used to pay toward one’s own home and mortgage. Rather than building someone else’s property, those payments could help build one’s own future.

The Rebbe continues with a blessing that she should share good news regarding this matter as well.

He then writes that it is his hope that her husband related to her, and to the family in general, some of the points discussed at the farbrengen which he had attended.

The Rebbe notes that it had often been heard from the Rebbeim that this is one of the purposes and goals of a farbrengen: that the words spoken there should not remain only with those physically present, but should also reach their family members at home.

Although the husband attended, the inspiration and guidance of the gathering were meant to extend beyond the room itself and enter the home.

The Rebbe adds that among the matters discussed at that farbrengen were also the unique merit and responsibility of Jewish women, Bnos Yisroel.

He therefore hopes that her husband shared those points with her as well.

The Rebbe writes that he looks forward to receiving good news in this area too—that the words heard at the farbrengen should serve as encouragement to increase activity on behalf of Jewish women and daughters.

This includes, the Rebbe adds, the local circle of Neshei Chabad in her community.

The Rebbe concludes this part of the letter with blessings for good news in all the matters mentioned.

He then adds another point. The Rebbe writes that he is surprised by what she mentioned at the end of her letter—that she had written a long letter previously but never sent it.

The Rebbe questions this gently: if the letter had already been written, why was it not sent? And if it was never meant to be sent, why was it written in the first place?

The message is clear. The Rebbe wanted people to communicate, to write, and to remain connected. He did not want people to refrain from writing out of hesitation or concern that they might be troubling him.

On the contrary, through writing, the Rebbe was able to guide, encourage, bless, and respond to the needs of those who reached out.

In this letter, the Rebbe combines practical advice with spiritual direction. He supports the wisdom of purchasing a home rather than renting, encourages that the inspiration of a farbrengen should be brought into the family home, especially in matters concerning the sacred mission of Jewish women, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining open communication.