8564 —חנוכה, בריאות, והוצאה לאור לכבוד אדמו"ר הזקן

B"H, Fifth Night of Chanukah, 5723.

Brooklyn, NY.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n engaged in tzt"z possessing elevated character traits, branch of a tree of ancestors etc. Maharashz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After the longest interval I received your letter from the eve of the bright day, Yud Tes Kislev, Rosh Hashanah for Chassidus and its ways—which according to my father-in-law the Rebbe, and in the words of his father the Rebbe, its purpose is to draw down the inner dimension of Torah and mitzvos and the innermost essence of Ein Sof blessed be He so that it illuminates the inner soul until our entire being is for Him alone. End quote.

It is noteworthy that anyone familiar with the soul-approach of the Rebbe (Maharashab) knows that he was entirely immersed in inwardness and essence; nevertheless, when mentioning "the inner soul," he immediately adds explanation: "until our entire being etc.," meaning both essence and extension etc., just as the body relative to the soul is like extension compared to essence. Therefore my strong hope is that by the time you receive this letter your health has already improved and you will share good news about this—especially since you wrote your letter on Yud Tes Kislev eve and my reply is written during Chanukah. Both occasions are about spreading Ner Mitzvah and Torah Or (the candle of mitzvah and light of Torah), in a manner that increases day by day—an increase in spiritual light brings an increase in material matters because Israel is one nation on earth uniting spirituality with materiality. This includes bodily health as well. As known from the Maggid's saying—Yud Tes Kislev is his yahrzeit—a small hole in the body makes a big hole in the soul; therefore bodily health "is one of G‑d's ways."

Regarding your thought to publish a collection connected with the 150th anniversary of the Alter Rebbe's passing—you correctly anticipated that I would be very pleased by this; in fact there is more than satisfaction here. I only hope and wish for all participants in this collection that every article published will fully align with the teachings of the Alter Rebbe—not just theoretical Torah but also primarily as part of Toras Chaim (a living Torah), practical guidance for daily life—so that I could express my satisfaction not only in a letter to you but also openly.

I was especially pleased to read at your letter's end that you participate in distributing books by the Alter Rebbe—both Tanya and Shulchan Aruch—and as explained in several places (even according to "the worldview of misnagdim") one who participates is considered as if he studied and completed all these books.

Lastly—and thank you for sharing good news about repairing gravestones in Haditch and Nizhyn.

Of course I await results from actions taken at the conference regarding absorbing young religious immigrants—practical activities—and may it be G‑d's will that here too everything follows Torah guidance: every Jew is a believer descended from believers; as stated by the Alter Rebbe at Tanya chapter 24—even at a time of sin faith remains with him; from this—all Jews, especially youth—are included among those called religious; particularly since they are immigrants which certainly means ascent—from below upward and from left to right—the opposite direction from descent G‑d forbid.

Blessings for Chanukah—to increase light day by day both spiritually and materially together; may you have good tidings with proper health, joy, and gladness of heart—with esteem.

Certainly you received my previous letters over time with their enclosures even if you did not confirm receipt. Enclosed is what was recently published. Part was printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 p. 274 and completed according to a copy from secretariat.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that increasing spiritual light brings blessings also physically; true Torah study must translate into daily action. Publishing works honoring tzaddikim should reflect their living teachings, while caring for others' wellbeing—including health—is itself a Divine path.