7309 —בריאות האם, הפצת היהדות בחוץ לארץ, ואהבת ישראל

B"H, 22 Iyar, 5720. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the bright day of Lag BaOmer.

a) At an auspicious time, your mother will be mentioned for a blessing at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal (may the memory of the righteous and holy be a blessing for life in the World to Come), for success in her medical treatment. May it be G‑d's will that just as you wrote your request, you will share good news in this matter. It is clear and obvious that the more your mother strengthens her trust in Hashem, Who heals all flesh and performs wonders, the greater and earlier her success will come.

b) Regarding what you wrote about the suggestion to travel to another country etc.—the solution is in your hands. I mean that if you decide with proper resolve to spread traditional Judaism and its matters there—and for its main purpose—practically speaking, without paying attention to the difficulties encountered when one wants to act for our Torah of life and its mitzvos—then this suggestion is correct and good. As our Sages say, a person's role and purpose in creation is to serve his Creator (Mishnah at the end of tractate Kiddushin). The great principle in Torah is "Ve'ahavta l'rei'acha kamocha" (Love your fellow as yourself), and just as regarding oneself one wishes and longs to be among those about whom it is said: "V'atem ha'dveikim b'Hashem Elokeichem chayim kulchem hayom" (And you who cling to Hashem your G‑d are all alive today), so too regarding one's fellow one must strive for this. It is known—the saying and teaching of our master the Baal Shem Tov z"l—that the mitzvah of loving your fellow applies even to Jewish men and women whom one has never seen. And this is clear.

c) And since this year is a special year—the two hundredth anniversary of the passing (yahrtzeit) of the Baal Shem Tov z"l—one of whose foundational teachings is that love of Hashem, love of Torah, and love of Israel are one—there must be increased strength and effort invested in this work. Just as love of Hashem finds primary expression in love for His only son (every single Jew), so too conversely: love for Israel finds expression and foundation when we bring Jews closer to our Father in Heaven—to His Torah and His mitzvos. Since we have been commanded regarding this, surely He Who forms all hearts together and understands all their deeds gives us the ability and strength to fulfill this mission completely; but in His goodness and kindness He desires that we do so out of free choice.

As you requested, this letter was sent without waiting for its turn.

With blessing for good news regarding all above.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that faith brings healing; spreading Judaism requires resolve despite obstacles; Ahavas Yisrael means loving every Jew—even those we've never met—and helping them connect with Torah. In a year linked to the Baal Shem Tov, we should redouble these efforts.