That involvement in working on behalf of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machne [Israel], and Kehot should not cause a diminishment of one's efforts on behalf of other matters of Jewish education and strengthening Yiddishkeit; the need not to be extreme

Table of contents

Search this book:

A request to procure manuscripts of chassidic texts

No. 686

This letter was addressed to R.Y.

B"H, 21 Menachem Av, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

I received your letter from erev Shabbos, [Parshas] Vaes'chanan,together with the enclosed [donation of] maamad[737] for [the Rebbe's household].[738] Enclosed is a receipt.

The pidyon will be read, as you asked, in the room of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, where one enters to give pidyonos and for yechidus. Similarly, I will read it at an appropriate time at the gravesite.

Certainly, our Nasi, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, will give his blessing that everything will take place at the proper time in a suitable and easy manner.[739] G-d will fulfill the blessings in a complete sense both materially and spiritually. Certainly, you will inform us of good tidings.

With blessing,

Menachem Schneerson

As to what you had asked previously[740] concerning the question: "How is it possible to have an infinite number of worlds?" I answered that this came as a result of the power of the Ein Sof [vested] in them for which nothing is impossible.

You raised a difficulty, [stating that] if so, this calls into question the proof that time is a created entity. [To explain:] In Derech Mitzvosecha[741][the concept that time is a creation] is proven from the fact that an infinite entity cannot be comprised of many limited entities.[742] You raised the issue that it could also be said that time [is infinite], because of the power of the Ein Sof vested in it. [If so,] what is the proof that time is a creation?

The general answer to this and similar questions is that in truth, it is possible to say that in each and every entity, the power of the Ein Sof,which is truly unbounded, will be revealed. In such a circumstance, [that the infinite Ein Sof is revealed in an entity] the entity would not conform to the rules and logical patterns dictated by the intellect. Nevertheless, the Torah has stated that the world was created in a manner that would conform to the rules of intellect,[743] as obvious from the fact that all the laws of the Torah force us to accept truths and proofs dependent on intellect. The exceptions [to the above] are only those matters about which it is explicitly stated that they do not conform to the laws of intellect.

Therefore with regard to [the number of spiritual] worlds, [we see that] our Sages state in several places that they are innumerable.[744] We must therefore say that this is because of the power of the Ein Sof vested in them. In contrast, with regard to other matters where this is not stated, [i.e., that something limited is unlimited,] and in particular when we are endeavoring to prove on the basis of intellect that time is a creation, we are able to accept an intellectual proof. For whichever way one desires [to look, the argument holds true]: From the standpoint of faith, there is no need for a proof that time is a creation. And if one's desire is to prove the matter according to intellect, a proof is brought that intellect also maintains that this [is true]. It is possible to elaborate on this matter, but certainly this synopsis is also sufficient for you.

I would like to know what is happening with Mr. .... Thank you for your effort in informing me.

rsip: Signed as above

   

Notes:

737. (Back to text) [Money traditionally given by the chassidim to the Rebbe to use at his discretion.]

738. (Back to text) [Literally, "for the house of our life."]

739. (Back to text) [This blessing was often given by the Rebbe for a child's future birth.]

740. (Back to text) [See the last note appended to Letter No. 598.]

741. (Back to text) [Mitzvas HaAmanas Elokus, sec. 11.]

742. (Back to text) [I.e., the Tzemach Tzedek proves that the entire sum of time is limited using the following argument: The entire sum of time is made up of hours and minutes. Since these hours and minutes are limited, we are forced to say that time as a whole is limited. For a sum that is made up of limited entities must itself be limited.]

743. (Back to text) [See Sefer HaMaamarim 5658, p. 120.]

744. (Back to text) [See the Introduction to the Tikkunei Zohar, p. 14b.]

That involvement in working on behalf of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machne [Israel], and Kehot should not cause a diminishment of one's efforts on behalf of other matters of Jewish education and strengthening Yiddishkeit; the need not to be extreme

Table of contents

Search this book:

A request to procure manuscripts of chassidic texts