With regard to a suggestion to print the Previous Rebbe's maamarim; the significance of studying Mishnayos by heart

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Response to several points including instructions with regard to tzitzis

No. 184

This letter was addressed to R. Moshe Hecht, at that time, the Rebbe's shliach in Worcester, Massachusetts.

B"H, Sunday, 7 Shvat, 5705

Greetings and blessings,

Both of your letters were received. A receipt is enclosed, with thanks [for your contribution].

With regard to the other participants,[179] it appears that since they were told that payment must be made by 9 Adar, they are waiting for that date.

It is not appropriate at all to think that time will take its toll with regard to this matter and that who knows.... ([In the form of] the letter hei, the third line - which alludes to deed - is separated from the other two lines - which refer to thought and speech, as stated in Torah Or, in the maamar entitled Chayav Inish Livsumei; see also Bava Basra 130b and the gloss of Rashbam, s.v. ad.)[180]

In my humble opinion, it is appropriate that when you come here for your brother's wedding,[181] you should actually collect the checks from all those who made commitments, although the checks should be dated 9 Adar. It would be desirable to encourage those whom you do not see at the wedding [to honor their pledge] through letters and afterwards, by telephone (on the account of Kehot, of course).

My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, writes in a letter,[182] "The Tzemach Tzedek states: 'A word spoken is public knowledge; in writing, it is for the entire world, and in print, it is for generations after generations.'" Fortunate is the person whose efforts enable the words of the Torah to be recorded in print, for this is "for generation after generation." In particular, this applies with regard to Pnimiyus HaTorah, for as explained in Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 26, in the era of Mashiach, this will constitute (the primary element of) Torah study. In contrast to....[183] Some explanation is, however, necessary with regard to [the statements in] the introduction to Biurei HaZohar.

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

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Executive Director

With regard to the [above] expression "for generation after generation," it is possible to say that the intent is at least four generations. For in the Hebrew, both terms are stated in the plural (to cite a parallel: Sanhedrin 99a, commenting on the verse:[184] "generation after generation").

See also the Tzemach Tzedek's interpretation of Tehillim 148:4, "from generation to generation," as referring to the entire scope of the spiritual cosmos. For every world can be referred to as "a generation." Four generations thus refer to the four worlds: Atzilus, Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah. Just as the four worlds include many worlds within them; so, too, the expression: "generation after generation" includes within it many generations. See also the maamar entitled Biur Inyan Motzieihem in Likkutei Torah.

   

Notes:

179. (Back to text) [I.e., the others who pledged contributions to the printing of the Previous Rebbe's maamarim as a present to him; see Letter No. 182. See also the Rebbe's foreword to the printing of Sefer HaMaamarim Kayitz 5700 (in 5711).]

180. (Back to text) [There the Talmud makes a distinction between a teaching delivered on a merely theoretical level and one delivered with the intent that it be applied in actual deed. Apparently, the Rebbe's intent is - although he had assured Rabbi Hecht that the people who made the pledges would meet their commitments - to highlight the difference between thought and deed.]

181. (Back to text) [I.e., the wedding of R. Yaakov Yehudah Hecht which was held on 14 Shvat, 5705.]

182. (Back to text) [See Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. II, Letter No. 558.]

183. (Back to text) [The intent appears to be a reference to Nigleh, the revealed dimension of Torah law, which will not be given such emphasis in that age.]

184. (Back to text) Tehillim 72:5.

With regard to a suggestion to print the Previous Rebbe's maamarim; the significance of studying Mishnayos by heart

Table of contents

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Response to several points including instructions with regard to tzitzis