8702 —ברכות יום הולדת, נטיעת עצים לזכרון, והתיישבות חב"ד

B"H, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

Lichvod haVavac"h iy"a nu"m bachur me'am u'muram me'am v'doresh tov l'amo ba'al middot terumiyot anaf etz avot Mo"h Shneor Zalman shlita

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In connection with your birthday, I join all those who bless you with long, good, and fruitful years. May it be G‑d's will that you utilize all your abilities to strengthen traditional Judaism and spread the wellsprings of Chabad. When one uses their talents and opportunities fully, they increase and multiply. Just as the soul is in the image of the supernal man and the body is a reflection of the soul—when one exercises a bodily limb it develops further—so too with spiritual faculties; using them fully brings more opportunities from Above.

If you suggest that this is like "one who has a maneh desires two hundred" in spiritual matters—it is not a punishment that one never feels spiritual satisfaction. Rather, once someone acquires a "maneh," they are granted a strong desire to acquire "two hundred," and nothing stands in the way of willpower.

I have not yet answered several points from your previous letter, including the matter of planting a forest in honor of Rabbeinu HaZaken. As I recall from our conversation here, I expressed my surprise: since our faith and Torah encompass all aspects of the world—both literally and regarding man as a microcosm—covering every detail and event (joyous or otherwise), why should we seek out foreign customs to plant in Israel's vineyard? I have not found any precedent for planting a forest in someone's name in Jewish law or custom (and custom is Torah), though there are precedents for building structures like Yad Avshalom. The Talmudic references to planting cedar trees at births (Gittin 57a) or other sources do not pertain to this context.

Until I find a foundation for this practice, I refrain from giving an opinion on it. However, I am aware that there are many fundraising methods without basis in Jewish custom—some tolerated only by those with refined souls—and planting forests is no worse than these; indeed it has agricultural benefits. Still, considering how people sanctify repeated practices—even giving them extra sanctity—I feel this borders on "do not add," especially since often it leads to violating both "do not add" and "do not subtract." Of course, I do not publicize my reservations about tree-planting in Eretz Yisrael for someone's name so as not to harm fundraising efforts. This hesitation is why I delayed writing you about this until now; but since you raised it specifically, I am responding as above.

I did find mention in Shas about extensive planting (Bava Batra 14a), which some interpret as fulfilling the mitzvah of settling Eretz Yisrael—though that refers to fruit-bearing trees or vineyards rather than barren ones (see Tamid 29b). See also Mishnah at end of Arachin. Our sages praised such acts greatly (Midrash Rabbah Kedoshim 25:3), but even these do not refer to planting as memorials for individuals or events.

b) In general I am enthusiastic about Chabad settlement near Tzfat-Meron; however, I currently lack details—especially regarding suitable people for such settlement among Russian immigrants. Additionally, Mr. Shlomo Danchek is currently focused on Kfar Chabad itself; "one does not mix one joy with another." I hope to write you more about this point soon.

c) Naturally I am interested in all details regarding your home and office etc. It is surprising that you write uncertainty about coming to discuss this at length during Elul; on the contrary—this month concludes and sums up the past year while preparing for Tishrei and the coming year—which makes it especially suitable for such matters. I hope to read more details about this in your future letters; allow me to add that more detail is praiseworthy here.

As we stand at Rosh Chodesh HaGeulah (the month of redemption), I extend wishes for personal redemption, communal redemption, and redemption for all Jews in Eretz Yisrael (see Berachot 58a). May it be speedily in our days.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages using one's talents fully for Judaism and outreach while reflecting on authentic Jewish customs versus borrowed practices like commemorative tree-planting. He expresses interest in Chabad settlement efforts and emphasizes detailed communication regarding communal projects.