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The halachic validity of machine-made tzitzis

No. 406

This letter was written by the Rebbe to be translated into English and sent to Mr. Julius Stulman, one of the primary supporters of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch in its early history.[19]

[8 Tishrei, 5709]

I acknowledge the receipt of your letter and express thanks on behalf of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and on my own behalf for your appreciation of the work of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch as expressed in the lofty terms of praise you used in your letter. This strengthens and reinforces our spirits. This is particularly necessary in these days when the obstacles and impediments to the activities within the growth plan of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch are growing and multiplying, and those who help are becoming weaker and less. The schedule of activity is growing and increasing from month to month and from week to week and there is no possibility of diminishing it unless sacrifices (in spirit, which will ultimately [affect] the bodies) are made by those who are being assisted by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch.[20] I cannot take the responsibility [of diminishing these activities] upon myself.

To further develop the excellent analogy that you mentioned in your letter: an atom bomb and the tremendous energy that is released in this manner. You are no doubt aware that in this context, many of the fundamental questions that stood before the scientists revolved around [a particular concept,] a chain process, and the success of the entire project depended on the solution they devised [concerning it].

1. [In] a chain process, the desired result will be reached by a machine creating fission within certain elements of the atom that will lead to the fission of other atoms which in turn will lead to the fission of other atoms. And in this way, the energy will continue to increase.

2. In an undesirable situation, it will be possible to arrange that the number of atoms affected by fission will continually decrease.[21]

3. The cost (both in energy and in finances) in bringing about the fission of the atom will be less than the profit brought about by the energy released by the fission. [This is of fundamental importance,] because the ultimate purpose of all the experiments and all the work in this field was not intended to be merely theoretical, but instead, for [the knowledge to] be applied in actual life [situations] and in this way, make our lives better and more refined.

The analogue to the above certainly does not require explanation to a person such as yourself.

Again I would like to wish you and the members of your household a chasimah and a g’mar chasimah tovah. May the coming year see an increase in your potential and your desire to use your powers on the path that was laid out for the entire Jewish people from the day they stood at Mount Sinai, i.e., the path of the Torah and its mitzvos. In particular, this applies to the field of kosher [Jewish] education. May the blessings which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, gave you be fulfilled.

   

Notes:

19. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 168 which is also addressed to him.]

20. (Back to text) [I.e., those helped by the efforts of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch will not receive this assistance and this will cause them spiritual and material losses.]

21. (Back to text) [I.e., as a safety measure, it will be possible to slow and ultimately stop the fission process.]

Publisher's Foreword

Table of contents

Search this book:

The halachic validity of machine-made tzitzis