6967 —בחירות הרבנות, מלומדות חב"ד, וחירות אמיתית

B"H, 13 Menachem Av, 5719.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z tznam"s etc. HaRash"i.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from Erev Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av and regarding what you wrote about the question of the Chief Rabbinate. It seems from various reports and rumors received here directly and indirectly that the current discussions are not relevant and will likely have little or no effect on the actual outcome. Since in practice, several months after the Knesset elections, every matter of the Chief Rabbinate has become a party issue, and thus it will be determined by whichever party has power after the Knesset elections.

Your book "Sofrim u'Sefarim," two volumes, has been received. I was waiting for your confirmation about receiving the third volume, which is mentioned in several places. Although it has not yet arrived, since you asked about it in your letter, I confirm receipt of the two volumes.

As is customary for a Jewish person—to immediately comment on the spot—I note that in evaluating these two volumes, the section dedicated to Pnimiyus HaTorah (the inner dimension of Torah) compared to Nigleh (the revealed part), and especially considering that regarding Nigleh there are many evaluators while for Pnimiyus HaTorah there are fewer, one could say that your great expertise is particularly evident in evaluating Pnimiyus HaTorah as revealed in our generation through Chassidus. Especially since our era has merited such broad dissemination of Chassidus—both Chabad Chassidus and general Chassidus—even though obviously extra caution is needed regarding Toras Chabad.

To my surprise I found in the Chabad section also material relating to Haggadah with collections of customs and reasons that I had not known about until now. It is somewhat surprising because our Sages said: "One who gives a gift must inform [the recipient]." I bring this up because perhaps there are more such articles; surely you will provide them at an opportunity through someone appropriate. Thank you in advance.

On a related note: some time ago I requested that they send you what Kehot recently published in Nigleh (in addition to what was printed in Chassidus). It would be most appropriate that at the first opportunity evaluations on this should be published as well.

A technical note: it would be worthwhile to mark in the books "Volume I," "Volume II," etc., or (if there is no logical sequence) at least find a way to distinguish between one volume and another.

It seems that during this period you tend to change locations or as is commonly said "take a vacation." (Of course this contradicts itself—since if one can take freedom oneself then he was always free; furthermore it contradicts "Avadai heim—they are My servants." Nevertheless—the meaning is understood; since your intention is for health it aligns with Torah.) May it be G‑d's will that it be successful and may this vacation serve to increase true freedom—for there is no free person except one who engages in Torah.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that political debates often have little real impact compared to actual outcomes determined later. He emphasizes valuing both revealed and inner Torah study—especially Chassidus—and highlights that true freedom comes only through engagement with Torah.