The division of the study of the Talmud; using an agent to receive a get

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Encouragement to collect maamad; the need for sincere outreach efforts

No. 464

This letter was addressed to R. Meir [Chayim] Chaiken.

B"H, 12 Adar, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

Your letter of the 24th of Shvat was received. Enclosed is a kuntreis for Purim that was just published which you will no doubt share with people at large. The letters at its conclusion are particularly pertinent for the members of the chassidic brotherhood and the yeshivah students who have been brought to a place where a great task has not yet been begun and it has been waiting for so long for so-and-so to come and perform it. Certainly, there is room for activity to fortify oneself [289] with regard to Torah study (establishing fixed times for the study of both the revealed realm of Torah law {nigleh} and its hidden mystic dimensions {nistar}), with regard to Divine service (making mature individuals aware of the concept of prayer, and in particular training those who are children — either chronologically or in knowledge — to pray and recite blessings) and with regard to deeds of kindness (particularly, [giving] tzedakah to worthy poor people, according to each one’s capacity).[290]

As is obvious, my [words are not directed] to you alone, but also to your father-in-law[291] as well who, it appears, must be aroused, [in the spirit of] our Sages’ statement:[292] “Skin (i.e., remove the leather garments that came as a result of the Sin of the Tree of Knowledge)[293] a corpse (referring to those who are referred to as dead even during their lifetimes)[294] in the marketplace (to accomplish this, one must go out to a place of business, as stated in Torah Or, Parshas Vayeishev, et al.) and earn a wage (because the poor man — in knowledge — does more for the donor [than the donor does for the poor man]).[295] Do not say: ‘I am a priest[296] (and I do not have a connection to matters of this world, as Rambam states at the conclusion of Hilchos Shemittah VeYoval) and I am a great man.’” ([I.e.,] I possess the great lights of Tohu within the great vessels of Tikkun; see sec. 7 of the enclosed maamar.)

With greetings for a happy and high-spirited Purim; with greetings to all those who seek our welfare,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

289. (Back to text) [Cf. Chulin 7a, et al.]

290. (Back to text) [Cf. Kesubos 67a.]

291. (Back to text) [R. Eliyahu Shmuel Kahanov.]

292. (Back to text) [Pesachim 113a.]

293. (Back to text) [See Bereishis 3:21.]

294. (Back to text) [As Bereishis Rabbah 39:7 states: “The wicked are referred to as ‘dead’ even during their lifetime.”]

295. (Back to text) [Vayikra Rabbah 35:8.]

296. (Back to text) [R. Kahanov was a kohen.]

The division of the study of the Talmud; using an agent to receive a get

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Encouragement to collect maamad; the need for sincere outreach efforts