תשרי י"ט - אגרת הקודש פרק כב

The Alter Rebbe continues, saying, "And further, I ask from your honors—עוד זאת אדרוש ממעל'—not to throw my words behind you." In other words, do not disregard or ignore the guidance I have shared. He emphasizes that the words he has prepared—אשר ערכתי שיח—are meant to encourage each person to go straight and walk in innocence, להיות כל איש ישר והולך בתומו, just as G‑d made man upright—כאשר עשה האלקי' את האדם ישר. The message is to serve Hashem with simplicity and straightforwardness, without getting caught up in excessive calculations or overthinking the actions and intentions of others.

The Alter Rebbe warns against seeking out many cheshboinois—complicated calculations and judgments—about the actions and thoughts of others. He says, "Do not seek many calculations from the happenings of a man's steps and the thoughts and schemes of people—ולא לבקש חשבונות רבים מעלילות מצעדי גבר ומחשבות אדם ותחבולותיו." This is not the work of man, but מלאכת שמים—the work of Heaven. Let Hashem handle these matters; our task is to serve with sincerity.

He then instructs us to have complete faith in the teachings of our sages—ולהאמין באמונה שלימה במצות חז"ל. One of their core instructions is to be humble of spirit before every person—והוי שפל רוח בפני כל אדם בכלל. The Alter Rebbe explains that humility means recognizing that every other person has something to offer you, something that completes you. Just as in a body, every limb is necessary—even if the head is the most important, it cannot function without the feet. So too, every Jew is essential, and each one receives some form of correction or completion from his friend—שכ"א מתוקן מחבירו.

He brings the verse, "All of Israel are as one person, friends"—כל [איש] ישראל כאיש אחד חברים. Just as a single person is made up of many limbs, and when those limbs are separated it affects the heart—ובהפרדם נוגע בלב כי ממנו תוצאות חיים—so too, when Jews are separated from one another, it causes pain to the collective heart, which is a metaphor for the Shechinah. Our unity is essential for the Divine Presence to dwell among us.

Therefore, our service of Hashem must be with one intention, as it says, "to serve Him with one purpose"—ולעבדו שכם אחד. The Alter Rebbe pleads, "My beloved, my friends, please, please exert yourselves with all your heart and soul to implant the love of your fellow in your heart—לטרוח בכל לב ונפש לתקוע אהבת רעהו בלבו." If the love is not there, force it in—make it a part of you. And, he continues, "Do not think anything bad about your fellow in your heart—ואיש את רעת רעהו אל תחשבו בלבבכם." The verse says, "It should never arise in your heart—ולא תעלה על לב לעולם." If such a thought does arise, push it away like smoke—יהדפנה מלבו כהנדוף עשן."

The Alter Rebbe makes a powerful comparison: just as one would push away a thought of idol worship, so too must one push away a negative thought about another Jew—וכמו מחשבת ע"ז ממש. Why is this so severe? Because our sages teach that lashon hara—evil speech—is as severe as idol worship, immorality, and murder. If speaking lashon hara is so grave, then thinking negatively about another is even worse, since thought penetrates deeper than speech.

He notes that it is already known to all who are wise of heart that thought has a greater impact than speech, both for good and for the opposite—וכבר נודע לכל חכם לב יתרון הכשר המח' על הדבור הן לטוב והן למוטב. Therefore, we must be especially careful with our thoughts about others, not just our words.

The Alter Rebbe concludes with a blessing: "May the good G‑d, Who blesses His people with peace—וה' הטוב המברך את עמו בשלום—place peace and eternal life upon you, as one who loves your souls from the depths of my heart and soul—כנפש או"נ מלו"נ." He expresses his deep love for the Chabad brotherhood and his hope that they will be united in true friendship and peace.