6552 —מנהגי משפחה, מעורבות קהילתית, והתעוררות לפעולה

B"H, 12th of Marcheshvan, 5719.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

We acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 3rd of Cheshvan. Regarding your question about your wife's family custom—may she live and be well—that after entering the ninth month she immerses in a mikveh for purity: although I have not heard of this custom among Chabad chassidim, on the other hand, since your wife's family practices this, it is understood that she should not be prevented from doing so, obviously with the doctor's permission.

I repeat my blessing that may Hashem fill the days of her pregnancy properly and easily, and may she give birth to a healthy child at the right time and easily.

With blessings for good news,

M. Schneersohn

P.S. It is astonishing what you wrote—that no one wants to take responsibility for guiding the evening yeshivah... so you were forced to take it back etc. Is it possible that after all the publicity, numerous letters etc., even this cannot be accomplished? Furthermore, it is surprising; it was already written that the married students learning in Yeshivas Toras Emes should strive that part of their time be devoted to Chabad activities—especially in teaching and education—for several reasons. Apparently from your letter there has been no progress in this either. And if you say that the main focus is spreading the wellsprings outward—I've already written in several letters that Chassidus explicitly teaches "chutzah" (outward) begins from Ze'er Anpin (Z"A), which in a person's service refers to matters revealed to us and our children of the animal soul. Certainly this includes Chabad and middos of the animal soul and all aspects of a person in general. Therefore this should be clear.

Regarding your mention that people do not attend gatherings—one should judge favorably; perhaps it stems from disappointment that previous gatherings did not yield results. The practice in such cases is for a small committee to write to those invited suggesting they undertake specific actions etc., and when these individuals respond with discussion or alternative suggestions—that serves as a good substitute for an assembly.

From all this it is clear regarding your closing words: "that first and last thoughts merge into one sigh etc." The answer is emphasized by our Rebbeim's well-known saying: one action is better than a thousand sighs—and obviously many actions are better than one sigh. Our people are ready for these actions; it's just as if they're asleep—as explained in Chassidus: a sleeping person possesses all faculties and limbs but lacks actual activity. Fortunate is he who comes and awakens them from their sleep and slumber! The content of this awakening is explained in Rambam's famous words often cited in Chassidus: "Awaken sleepers from your sleep! Rouse yourselves from your slumber! Examine your deeds, return in teshuvah, remember your Creator! Those who forget truth amid temporal vanities..." (see Hilchos Teshuvah ch. 3 halachah 4). For anyone who avoids these types of work—even if he convinces himself it's because he's busy with important matters etc., has no time or ability—the real reason is as above: forgetting the truth—the Mishnah's words: "I was created to serve my Maker," and the halachic ruling that when a mitzvah cannot be done by others its performance takes precedence—even over Torah study at its highest level (see Moed Katan 9b Tosafos d.h. kan). Moreover, forgetting truth isn't because one's nature pursues intellect like an intellectual's nature but rather—as Rambam says—because of temporal vanities.

There is much more to elaborate on all this; however, Chassidus instructs us to focus not on "turning away from evil," but on "doing good," as expressed by our Sages and our Rebbe Admor tzt"z: "Anan poalei deyoma anan—our job is to bring light."

Summary

The Rebbe teaches respect for positive family customs when medically appropriate and stresses that real change comes through concrete action rather than regret or passivity. He encourages every individual to awaken themselves and others toward active participation in communal good deeds.