6472 —עידוד לעמוד בעמדה תקיפה בענינים רוחניים בארץ ישראל

B"H, 5 Elul, 5718.

Brooklyn, NY.

Mar Eliezer shiyichyeh Steinman

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In these days I received your book "Alim MeEtz HaChayim", and thank you for it. Naturally, out of fondness for the matter I leafed through its pages, especially since it is precisely in topics that seemingly lack internal connection and are not sufficiently organized that one can see more clearly the author than is reflected in polished books written for a unified purpose that ties the book from beginning to end.

In accordance with the instruction of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe—based on the saying of the tzt"z—in explanation of our Sages' phrase "Anan paalei d'yemama anan" (we are workers of daylight), that our task is to increase light in the world, in our world; and this is a directive for every single soul of Israel when they are in bodies in this world—I allow myself to arouse you, based on what you wrote in your above-mentioned book p. 3: "We here are the pioneers of the Jewish people... The headline of our people's chronicles, the essence of its suffering over its land and its G‑d; every tremor in our past... strikes at our very core." And considering your influence in various circles, I am surprised why you do not take a firm stand regarding all those phenomena affecting daily life in our holy land in the area of the inner life of Jews—that is, soul-life, Divine soul—which unfortunately these phenomena are not decreasing; and the danger increases because these matters become a matter of prestige, for which one would give up everything rather than transgress.

And indeed, according to those lines regarding the G‑d of Israel and Israel's past, certainly several phenomena would not have come about were it not for the drive for victory which—like all drives—can lead a person even against his own reason and not only against his Creator's will. And now is not the time when someone can seclude himself within his four cubits and say that whatever happens outside does not concern him since he deals with lofty matters above ten handbreadths from this world—especially someone whose voice many heed and who has the ability to protest etc.

Perhaps you have expressed your view on these phenomena but word has not reached here about it; even if so, this itself proves that such a response is insufficient since echoes of other responses have reached here loudly and clearly. Therefore it is clear that an active response defending the pain of Jewish Shechinah—as you mention there in your book—certainly should have reached here and more actively so.

Now that we have entered Elul—the month when we customarily recite twice daily "Hashem Ori Veyishi" (G‑d is my light and my salvation)—and "no verse departs from its simple meaning": Ori Veyishi (my light and my salvation) in this world even though deeds are difficult and evil prevails (Tanya ch. 26), yet Ori Veyishi so that I will not fear; may it be G‑d's will that light break through the darkness of this world and banish it—for even a little light dispels much darkness—and from day to day may it increase until night will shine like day.

With honor and blessings for being inscribed and sealed for good.

A separate package was sent to you from what appears here by Tzeirei Agudas Chabad; I hope you will find interest in it.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages using one's influence to actively address spiritual challenges facing Jews in Eretz Yisrael. Even small efforts to increase light can dispel much darkness; everyone must take responsibility rather than remain passive observers.