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Yaakov Althaus was a correspondent of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and is addressed in several letters as an active figure in the establishment and leadership of Chabad institutions, particularly in Canada. The letters reveal his involvement in communal and educational activities, as well as his personal spiritual and emotional challenges.
The Rebbe’s letters to Yaakov Althaus are characterized by a tone of encouragement, practical guidance, and spiritual mentorship. In a letter dated 3rd of Marcheshvan, 5712 (1951), the Rebbe addresses Althaus’s recurring struggles with melancholy, especially after his move to Canada. The Rebbe urges both Althaus and his wife to actively combat these negative feelings, suggesting that if no other solution is found, one should channel such emotions into increased diligence in Torah study, as taught in Torah Or. The Rebbe emphasizes that this approach not only protects one’s physical health but also brings spiritual benefit, and he encourages them to serve Hashem with joy.
In another letter, dated 2nd of Shevat, 5712, the Rebbe responds to Althaus’s concerns about his health. He reassures him, via Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, that he is generally healthy and should simply follow his doctor’s instructions. The Rebbe discourages overanalyzing medical advice, noting that such questioning stems from spiritual negativity (kelipah). He reflects on the traditional Chassidic approach of first obeying and then seeking to understand, rather than demanding intellectual clarity before action.
The Rebbe repeatedly refers to Yaakov Althaus as the emissary of the Previous Rebbe (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) tasked with transforming his city into a Chassidic center. Over a decade, Althaus played a leading role in removing obstacles and establishing a small yeshiva as a preparatory step toward a full-fledged Chassidic yeshiva. The Rebbe stresses that the time has come to move from preparation to actualization, urging Althaus and his colleagues to work together to establish a robust Chassidic yeshiva and community, in accordance with the wishes of the Previous Rebbe. The Rebbe expresses confidence in Althaus’s leadership and prays for his success in both communal and personal matters, including the upbringing of his children in the path of Torah and good deeds.
Throughout the correspondence, the Rebbe’s guidance to Yaakov Althaus combines practical advice, spiritual encouragement, and heartfelt blessings. He urges Althaus to approach his responsibilities and personal challenges with joy and without excessive worry, assuring him of Divine assistance and success in his endeavors for the benefit of the community and his family.