6687 —כוח ההשתתפות בהתועדות יוד שבט והעליה של הצדיק

B"H, 17 Shevat, 5719. Brooklyn.

To all participants in the farbrengen on the day of hilulah, the tenth of Shevat, in the seventh year which is a Shemitah year, 5719, in Bnei Brak—may G‑d be upon them for life. Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive the names of those who participated in this aforementioned farbrengen, with their names and their mothers' names, so that they will be mentioned at the holy resting place of the one whose hilulah it is.

And everything follows after what is signed: participation on the day of hilulah of a tzaddik, leader of Israel, leader of the generation—who ascends on this day higher and higher, as explained in many places in Chassidus (the teachings of Daas Chassidus). This is also understood according to Nigleh (revealed Torah), from the fact that on a yahrzeit we say Kaddish again—even many years after passing—whereas for every other Jew it is stopped after a year because his judgment has ended. Therefore, this Kaddish (as taught by Arizal and brought in Lechem HaPanim and Shiurei Berachah on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah end of Siman 376) is due to an ascent in holiness—higher and higher. As our Sages said: "They have no rest—not in this world nor in the World to Come—as it says: 'They go from strength to strength.'"

And "the body follows after the head": all those connected and attached to him are drawn after him in his ascent, receiving additional assistance and strength from above—as our Sages said: "One who comes to purify is assisted." It is known (see Likkutei Torah Drushei Shemini Atzeres p. 89d) that it says "to purify" (letaher) rather than "to become pure" (lehitaheir), meaning that this refers to one's effect on another—the other within oneself (the body and animal soul), as well as another literally. And this is precisely the point of chassidim's service.

With honor and blessings for good news with joy and gladness of heart.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that participating in a tzaddik's yahrzeit farbrengen connects one to his spiritual ascent, bringing added blessing and strength from above. The act inspires both personal growth and positive influence on others—the essence of chassidic service.