Letter & Spirit: Chassidim and the Outside World
In this week’s edition of Letter & Spirit, in honor of Chof Beis Shvat and the Kinus Hashluchos, we present a letter from the Rebbe in which he gives an explanation for ‘why Chassidim participate in the outside world’ – by way of saluting the Shluchos who devote their lives to working with the world to improve it. The letter was written through the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel, and was made available by the latter’s son-in-law, Rabbi Sholom Ber Shapiro.
This weekly feature is made possible by a collaboration between CrownHeights.info and Nissan Mindel Publications. Once a week we publish a unique letter of the Rebbe that was written originally in the English language, as dictated by the Rebbe to Rabbi Mindel.
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By the Grace of G-d
28th of Sivan, 5724
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr.
Toronto, 19
Ontario, Canada
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge your letter.
It is surprising to me to note in your letter that it is your impression as though Chassidim do not participate in the outside world, etc. As a matter of fact, the reverse is true, for there is hardly any sphere or area in the world at large which Chassidim exclude from their interest. This attitude is the direct result of the emphasis in Chassidus on the true concept of Monotheism. The Chassidic concept of the oneness of G-d goes much further than the generally accepted view that there is only One Deity and no more, but that there is only One G-d and nothing else. For, inasmuch as G=d’s word (whereby it He brought the world into existence) constantly and without interruption creates and vitalizes the whole Universe and every particular of it, and without this creative force, which is the true essence of every existing thing, nothing could exist, it follows that there is no true reality other than G-d, and there is actually nothing but G-dliness. Chassidus emphasizes that it is one of the central aspects of man’s purpose in life to establish this truth and to spread it to the utmost extent of his influence. This is not merely an idea, but a way of life which is expressed in the daily life, and which permeates the whole inner being of a Chossid.
A corollary to this viewpoint is another fundamental principle in the teachings of Chassidus, namely that Divine Providence extends to each and every particular in the Creation, not only to each individual of the human race, but each particular in the realm of the animal world, the vegetable and even the mineral, as it is well known to everyone who studies Chassidus.
Thus it is fundamental for the Chassidic philosophy and way of life not to exclude any part of the world from its sphere of interest.
As for your writing that you have not come across any names of Chassidim who participated in certain movements, such as civil rights etc., this is also surprising, inasmuch as many have taken an active part in this and other constructive movements. Many more, however, among those who participate in such constructive movements do so while avoiding publicity and headlines in the press.
You do not write about your own background, from which I assume that your own affairs are in order. From what has been said above, it will be clear that true “order” is accomplished when the spiritual aspects and higher values in life have preponderance over the material aspects or, to put it in the Chassidic way, when the spirit prevails over matter, and this, not on special occasions in the course of one’s life, but in everyday life.
With blessing,
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The above letter is from a forthcoming volume of The Letter and the Spirit Series, two volumes of which have been published to date, with volume three coming out shortly, IYH. The letters are from the archives of Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel, a personal secretary to the Previous Rebbe and The Rebbe, whose responsibilities included the Rebbe’s correspondence in English.
We thank Rabbi Sholom Ber Shapiro, director of Nissan Mindel Publications and the one entrusted by Rabbi Mindel, his father-in-law, with his archives, for making these letters available to the wider public. May the merit of the many stand him in good stead.
