Letter and Spirit: Anniversary of The Yom Kippur War

As this week is the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, we present a letter of the Rebbe written to a lady whom he is praising for doing activities in chinuch – something the Rebbe is very happy about especially during these very urgent times when the power of our young children helps to overcome our enemies. This was written right after the Yom Kippur War.

By the Grace of G-d
10th of Cheshvan, 5734
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dr. and Mrs.
London, N. 16

Greeting and Blessing:

In addition to the reports that I receive from time to time indirectly, I was pleased to receive just now your letter, Mrs. I was gratified to read the good news about her activities in S. Africa, especially with the school children. Now it is quite evident how important and urgent has been the appeal made in the latter part of this summer centered on: מפי עוללים ויונקים גו’ (כדי) להשבית וכו’.

The above, incidentally, conveys a basic lesson, which becomes more obvious by analogy form medicine – which has two general aspects: cure and prevention. The first has to do with curing the sick; the second – with preventing the sickness. At first glance, the accomplishment of the physician in curing the sick seems more impressive by its dramatic results, than preventive medicine, where there could be some delusion that sickness would be somehow avoided. In truth, however, it is surely better to be certain of immunity to sickness. The latter is the way of G-d, as it is written: כל המחלה גו’ לא אשים עליך כי אני ה’ רופאך

In the present situation, the “enemy and the avenger” has made not secret of his intentions, which emphasizes again hos true the saying of our Sages that אין בעל הנס מכיר בנסו . And while the preventive power of Torah and mitzvos are also in a manner of אין בעל הנס מביר בנסו, this is clearly the more desirable way and may G-d grant that henceforth it will only be this way.

In light of the above it is more urgent than ever to spread the Torah, Toras Chayim and your contribution through the “Betrachtungen” is certainly part of the endeavor.

With esteem and blessing,