Sending packages to the Rebbe's parents in Russia

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A detailed explanation of the importance of studying Mishnayos by heart

No. 131

This letter was addressed to Rabbi Menachem Zev Greenglass, one of the leading members of the Lubavitch community in Montreal.

B"H, Tuesday, 14 Shvat, 5704

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your express letter of 3 Shvat and those which preceded it (your express letter reached me only on 8 Shvat; it can certainly be assumed that it was delayed by the censor):

1. One hundred English diaries were already sent to you. Certainly, you will notify us how many more to send you in the near future, for there are many who have requested [this text] and we do not know whether it will be reprinted again.

2. The sichah of Chai Elul and another collection of maamarim and sichos ([those delivered in] Chicago in 5702) are at the printer and we are checking the proofs. This also applies with regard to Sifreinu, Vols. II and IV.

3. We will request of our friend Rabbi Yisrael Jacobson to write to you concerning the questions you asked with regard to your journey.[1]

4. We received a letter from R. Yosef Rodel and R. Moshe Eliyahu Gerlitzky concerning Beis Rivkah in Montreal.[2] We have already answered.

5. We are interested [in hearing about] the activities in the sphere of education mentioned in your letter and the results [they produced]. [We are also interested in hearing] the information concerning the state of [Jewish] education which the students who journeyed [to other cities] were able to collect.

6. Thank you for you efforts with regard to Mr. Dalfin. The fact that his donations come only from time to time does not disturb us, provided [his commitment] is definite. We have not yet decided which [text] to print [for him]. At the time, we will notify him.

7. The Shmuessen from Teves were already sent to you before your letter arrived. We have notified the office of HaKeriah VehaKedushah [with regard to your comments].

8. We were happy [to receive] the news about the expansion of Mesibos Shabbos (Shabbos clubs).2 We are interested in hearing more particulars about this.

9. Mr. ... did not speak with my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, concerning the printing of a Kuntres. Therefore, [we would appreciate] if you would please clarify the matter with him and bring it to a positive resolution. Explain that the more [he gives,] the more praiseworthy it is, and that a vast quantity (,unf) can lead to vast and elevated quality (,ufht).

10. With regard to writing your memoirs:[3] It is over a year that we are speaking about this and after all this effort, only one installment was sent, and then the matter ceased. You explain in your letter that "until now he (Rabbi Yosef Wineberg) did not have the opportunity for this." Picture for yourself what would happen if another person would be writing and you would be the reader. What impression would such rationalizations make on you [under such circumstances]?

11. Let us know on a note which of the sichos and kuntreisim which have been printed overseas you desire and the quantities of each. I will pass on [the information] to those in charge of shipping. If over time, [these texts] are found, they will be sent to you.

12. We will write an inspirational letter to Rabbi Kellman from Toronto as you advised.[4]

13. With regard to your statements that you now desire to visit here several times during the year: There is a well-known comment from our Sages (Yalkut Shimoni, Tehillim, ch. 19) concerning such matters: "David was like a merchant...."[5] Similarly, this pattern is accepted as halachah by the Tur, the Shulchan Aruch, {and the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch} (Orach Chayim 582:8).[6]...

14. It is extremely perplexing that we have not received anything towards payment of your debt, and yet it is continuing to increase.

15. As you requested, enclosed is a letter explaining the importance of studying Mishnayos by heart based on the teachings of Nigleh, the revealed body of Torah law, alone.[7] If you have any comments based on the statements of those who hear or read [these explanations], please let us know.

16. With regard to your statements about the comments enclosed in parentheses in the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, see Shaar HaKollel, ch. 1.[8]

With the blessing, "Immediately to teshuvah, immediately to Redemption,"

M. Schneerson

Chairman of the Executive Committee

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) [Rabbi Greenglass was scheduled to visit Crown Heights for the Pesach holiday to speak about continuing his activities as head of Machne Israel and Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch in Montreal.]

2. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 48.]

3. (Back to text) [See above Letter No. 82.]

4. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 133.]

5. (Back to text) [The Yalkut explains that a merchant will progressively increase his requests.]

6. (Back to text) [There it is explained that a person making a request should ask for something small and then continue to ask for something of greater importance.]

7. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 132.]

8. (Back to text) [Which states that some of the statements enclosed in parentheses were so enclosed to indicate that the Alter Rebbe wanted to reconsider the matter.]

Sending packages to the Rebbe's parents in Russia

Table of contents

Search this book:

A detailed explanation of the importance of studying Mishnayos by heart