6563 —לקיחת עמדה נגד המלחמה בדת שלא בדרך נצחנות, ומצוה שאי אפשר לעשותה ע"י אחרים דוחה תורה

B"H, 22 Marcheshvan, 5719

Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Eliezer Steinman, may he live

Shalom u'Vrachah!

... Your letter of the 5th of Cheshvan was received, in which you ask my opinion regarding the attitude to be taken toward matters of contentiousness "with trumpets and the sound of the shofar," etc. Of course you are right that these are things a refined soul cannot bear, and fortunate is one who is spared them. However, the approach of our Torah in general, and of Chassidus in particular, is well known: they reject the attitude of ואני את נפשי הצלתי "and I have saved my soul" (after Yechezkel 3:19, "and you have saved your soul," here turned into the first person). If there is a possibility of setting things right, there is no choice in the matter and one must take a stand – of course, in ways that are not contentious, etc. This too was my intention in my previous letter to you (letter 6472). It is self-evident that I do not mean the methods adopted by the shouters and noisemakers – especially as it is doubtful whether such a method will bring any benefit in these matters – but rather the ways connected with the talent with which you have been graced by Divine Providence, through which you have already succeeded in finding a path to the hearts of a great many circles, and an echo among them.

Let me explain my words. I do not mean so much specific phenomena [such as the mixed swimming pool, the conscription of women, the question of the sale and raising of "the other thing" (pigs) in Jerusalem the Holy City, etc.], for in my opinion all these phenomena are the result of a general approach of war against religion. It may be that with some of those waging it, their intention is a war against the personalities who bear the banner of religion, or against the religious party, as people and not as adherents of religion; but in the final analysis, as far as those who are influenced and receive from them are concerned, this makes no great difference.

If my information is correct, in recent years there has been a somewhat gratifying change in this area in the Holy Land, may it be rebuilt and established. Namely: some years ago there was a reaction against religion "from below," that is, among the youth and young people, and those at the head were swept along after them, some willingly and some against their will. But precisely in the very latest years the youth and young people have begun to seek the way back to faith and religion; and even those among them who for the time being oppose practical mitzvos, or the religion of Israel, oppose it more out of a lack of knowledge than out of opposition in essence. To our very great sorrow, however, those who stand above them, and their leaders, still hold to the ways and approaches of the past and fight against religion and its matters, and from time to time this finds expression in phenomena such as those listed above, and many more like them. It is not my role, and it is against my will, to enumerate the sins of etc., especially since to those living in the Holy Land these matters are known and clear even more. And who knows מה ילד יום "what a day may bring forth" (Mishlei 27:1).

Therefore, whoever acts first, etc., and does so while there is still time, not only weakens the phenomena that have occurred until now, but also prevents new points of this kind.

b) As to the conclusion of your letter, נפשי חשקה בתורה "my soul longs for Torah" (the words of Ben Azzai, Yevamos 63b), etc., and what is a person to do who is unable to do two kinds of work, etc.: in this problem too, as in all of a person's affairs, there is clear guidance in our Torah, the Torah of life, namely, that a mitzvah that cannot be performed by others overrides Torah study (Moed Katan 9a, end, and beginning of 9b; see also Rambam, Laws of Torah Study 3:4).

Publisher's notes

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 16, p. 562, and completed according to the copy in the Secretariat.

Mr. ... Steinman (מר.. שטיינמן): Further letters to him: above, vol. 17, 6472, and the sources noted there. Further on, 6816.

Summary

This letter holds that one may not withdraw and merely "save one's own soul" when it is possible to improve matters: the recipient should take a stand against the war on religion, not by shouting but through his own gifts of influence, especially now that the youth are seeking their way back. It also rules that a mitzvah no one else can do takes precedence over Torah study.