8575 —מציאת נקודות טובות ותכלית בסביבה מאתגרת

B"H, 11 Tevet, 5723.

Brooklyn.

The Avrech Uri Tzvi sheyichyeh

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the second night of Chanukah, in which you write about life in your current surroundings, the particular difficulties there, etc. It is surprising that it seems you do not recognize at all any of the good points within them.

It is especially understood—according to the well-known saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe—that when the promise of the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu will be fulfilled, people will grasp their heads (placing their hands on their heads with great regret and remorse) over these days and this period—the very best time at the end of exile—when one could accomplish so much in Torah and mitzvos by overcoming all concealments and obstacles. Then, the service is more pleasant and beloved both to the one serving and to He who commanded it—the Creator and Ruler of the world—as opposed to when the spirit of impurity will be removed from the earth and there will be no opposition. The lesson for our situation is obvious.

Another point regarding what was mentioned above—and this too is essential—is what you emphasize in your letter about being among those whose focus is only "obedience to orders." Yet this is one of the main principles in a person's faith: specifically simple faith, which means putting "we will do" before "we will hear" (obedience), and complete trust that He Who commands gives from the outset both the strength and ability to fulfill His command—as long as one truly wants to and actually follows in G‑d's path, as was commanded by Avraham—the first Hebrew—who will command his children...and they shall keep G‑d's way to do righteousness and justice (Bereishis 18:19).

It is human nature—since man is born a wild donkey—to act according to his own nature: fulfilling his own desires, even his cravings; moreover, this desire bends his intellect and invents rationalizations and reasons. The correction for this is all the more so: if regarding a human command one must have—as you wrote—obedience to orders, upon which depends maintaining one's framework and thus preserving all of the army's boundaries etc., how much more so regarding a command from "the most supreme Commander," Melech Malchei HaMelachim Hakadosh Baruch Hu (the King of kings, blessed be He), for every Jew is part of G‑d's army.

A third point—also essential, perhaps even most central among these three—is whether you will ever again have such an opportunity to influence an environment so much in need of knowledge of G‑d, Torah, and mitzvah as you do now. After all, you are together all day long; you must adhere to a framework of discipline etc., as above. When words come from the heart—and their content is Torah truth and its mitzvos—ultimately "truth sprouts from the earth."

These few lines are small compared to how important this matter is generally—and especially how important it is that you utilize this opportunity given by Divine Providence: to bring back many young Jews—who will soon establish families—to a good and upright path, that of Torah and mitzvah. Improving each one's situation multiplies exponentially into their families' future generations until the end of time.

Together with opportunity comes obligation; G‑d does not make unreasonable demands on His creations but also gives them strength to fulfill their mission. If thanks are due—it is also a lesson from Chanukah: our Sages testify that they were weak and few against strong and many; yet they made a firm decision and fought for purity, mitzvah observance, and Torah study. Therefore they experienced great salvation—a deliverance that we commemorate every year by lighting candles in increasing number each night amidst surrounding darkness.

With blessings for success in your sacred work mentioned above—with joy and gladness of heart.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches us to recognize hidden good even amid challenges; true growth comes through overcoming obstacles with simple faith. Our unique opportunities allow us not only personal advancement but also powerful influence on others for generations.