8731 —בנוגע לעניין היער, ישוב בארץ ישראל, והנהגת רבנות

B"H, Eve of Rosh Chodesh Teves 5724.

Brooklyn.

HaRaha"g HaRaha"ch iy"a nu"n tznam"s etc. HaRash"i

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the second day of Chanukah, and in order: Enclosed is a copy of my letter to the rabbinic authorities as per your suggestion, and surely when you receive good news about this, you will also inform me.

b) Regarding the forest issue, it seems that he was not shown his own letter from me. If a copy is found, it should be attached to this letter of mine. In any case, regarding the questions—there is no aspect in a forest that is contrary to Torah and mitzvah; he himself raised that this is not so. Especially in the Shemitah year when the committee stands guard, reality in Eretz HaKodesh (may it be rebuilt and established) and abroad has shown that it is not the committee who decides but rather the director and official, etc. This should suffice.

c) Regarding the question about settling Eretz Yisrael—since there is agricultural benefit, etc.—I also noted this benefit in my letter; however, I referenced Tamid 29b that there is no mitzvah of settling Eretz Yisrael with non-fruit-bearing trees. Similarly, you wrote that we find there a memorial for someone—this too I noted in my letter: such a thing exists but only regarding buildings and similar matters. This can be clarified based on what is explained in Chassidus: both building and naming (in Sefiros) pertain to Malchus; whereas vegetation and forests pertain to Ze'er Anpin.

Thank you very much for your brief report about the farbrengen in Kfar Chabad.

Regarding your conclusion in that paragraph about a title—at present this matter is no longer under my authority (after the well-known letter mentioned above was written to someone who is already in Olam HaEmes [the World of Truth], so the matter was concluded). Another main point: The main thing is that our friend (may he live long) should have longevity in his role—and even more important—that he utilize all his abilities fully for their intended purpose. As explained elsewhere—and as seen even with physical life—that by using a bodily limb its strength and capacity increase; how much more so with spiritual faculties—the more they are used for good purposes, ability and potential are increased and one ascends in holiness.

It goes without saying that I am completely of one mind with you regarding your absolute rejection of the proposal for chief rabbinate: if several years ago it was entirely unsuitable for you, how much more so now after things have deteriorated as described above. There is no need to elaborate on such distressing matters—especially since it has reached not only (sending supervisors—by order of so-and-so—to Israeli ships [even those traveling for pleasure] on Friday afternoon after midday), leading to Shabbos desecration (public silence or publicity as an admission—and no one protests), and conscription of women (at least as an accessory—to immorality), but also into areas bordering idolatry (hopefully only as an accessory)—especially these days connected with their holidays—and increased inappropriate contact during visits etc., which has become ever more strange regarding such visits; may G‑d spare us.

At an auspicious time I will again mention him for blessing (may he live), and may it be G‑d's will that his health situation should follow the lesson from these Chanukah days—increase therein until full restoration.

It is understood that I am pained by the delay in publication of volume eleven (and twelve etc.) of the Talmudic Encyclopedia.

With wishes for an illuminating and joyous Chanukah and good news regarding all mentioned above,

M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies halachic issues concerning forests and settlement in Eretz Yisrael while emphasizing personal growth through full use of one's abilities. He supports rejecting unsuitable rabbinic positions given current challenges facing Jewish leadership.