6279 —ברכות בר מצוה, הפסק במכתבים, ותאוות התשובה

B"H, 26 Iyar, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Mohe Yitzchak Dubav

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After a long break, your letter from the 19th of Iyar was received along with the pidyon nefesh to be read at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory. It is surprising that there has been such a long gap in letters, and even in this letter I did not find sufficient reason for it.

Regarding your notification that your grandson Aharon Mendel shlita became Bar Mitzvah in the month of Ziv this year: May it be G‑d's will that from age thirteen he grows to age fifteen for Gemara study and so on, and may you derive much true nachas from him—Jewish and chassidic nachas.

I have already replied to your brother-in-law Rabbi Nisnevitch shlita some time ago and it was surely received.

As we approach Shavuos, may you be blessed—in the language of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe—to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

With blessings for good news.

P.S. Enclosed is a copy of my general letter to the annual gathering of Nshei U'Bnos Chabad whose content is relevant all year round; surely you will utilize its content appropriately.

Regarding what you wrote on Nedarim 10a: "Chassidim etc. desire to bring a sin-offering—what is this desire?" It can be explained that it is the desire for the virtue of a baal teshuvah, whose closeness (hinted by Rosh's explanation of korban) is most elevated. See Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah chapter 7. This is also precise in Sefer Chassidim according to Rashi's commentary on Sukkah 53a s.v. elu.

Summary

The Rebbe emphasizes maintaining consistent communication, gives heartfelt blessings for a Bar Mitzvah milestone, and highlights how chassidim aspire to reach higher spiritual levels through teshuvah—drawing from classic sources about the unique greatness of baalei teshuvah.