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Yaakov Raskin was a correspondent of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, during the early 1950s. From the Rebbe’s letters, it is evident that Raskin was a dedicated chassid, involved in Jewish education and family matters, and maintained an ongoing relationship with the Rebbe, seeking guidance and blessings for himself and his family.
The letters exchanged between Yaakov Raskin and the Rebbe reveal a warm, pastoral relationship. The Rebbe addressed both personal and communal concerns, offering practical and spiritual advice. In one letter, the Rebbe responded to Raskin’s report about his daughter’s distress over her children’s lack of Jewish observance. The Rebbe counseled that positive influence comes through patient repetition, gentle words, and persistent encouragement, rather than bitterness or harshness. He emphasized the importance of speaking kindly and repeatedly about Jewish values, assuring that gradual, consistent effort would ultimately yield results.
Another recurring theme was the mitzvah of tefillin, particularly relevant as Raskin’s son was serving in the army. The Rebbe instructed Raskin to encourage his son to lay tefillin daily, explaining its unique merit for long life and protection, and stressing that even if it could not be done in the morning, it should be performed later in the day. The Rebbe shared personal testimony and the teachings of his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, that those who observed tefillin in the army returned home safely. The Rebbe also sent messages and blessings for Raskin’s son, reinforcing the importance of this mitzvah regardless of other observances.
In connection with Raskin’s own wedding, the Rebbe sent heartfelt blessings, urging him to build his home on the foundations of Torah and mitzvos as taught in Chassidus. The Rebbe encouraged Raskin to strengthen his hiskashrus (spiritual connection) by upholding the takanos (institutions) of the Previous Rebbe, teaching that spiritual growth depends on one’s personal effort.
When Raskin began teaching a beginner’s class in Gemara, the Rebbe offered guidance based on a saying of the Previous Rebbe: just as rain’s benefit depends on plowing and sowing, so too does a blessing require preparation and effort from the recipient. The Rebbe explained that for Torah students, this means strict adherence to study schedules and diligence, even at the expense of comfort. He encouraged Raskin not only to apply this to himself but also to impart it to his students, assuring him that such effort would draw down G-d’s blessing for success and understanding.
The Rebbe’s correspondence with Yaakov Raskin is marked by encouragement, practical guidance, and deep spiritual concern. The Rebbe consistently emphasized the power of positive influence, the necessity of personal effort in spiritual matters, and the importance of faith in G-d’s blessings. His tone is warm, supportive, and empowering, offering both concrete advice and heartfelt blessings for Raskin’s health, family, and spiritual growth.