Weekly Letter: The Joy of Succos
The Rebbe in his letter encourages the correspondent to harness the joy of Succos, and especially of Simchas Torah, and utilize it throughout the year, touching upon the idea of simcha shel mitzvah, as emphasized in Gemara.
Mr. ________ 5730
London, England
Greeting and Blessing:
I am in receipt of your letter.
As requested, I will remember in prayer those mentioned in your letter, and may G-d grant that you should have good news to report in regard to its contents.
I believe I have mentioned this before, but it is worth repeating–all Jews constitute one organism.1 Consequently, every improvement in matters of Torah and mitzvot on the part of one Jew brings benefit not only to himself, but also to all Jews. The effects are even stronger in regard to the family unit, and especially in regard to parents and children.
You give no indication of how the month of Tishrei passed with you but I trust that you will take a goodly measure of its inspiration into the rest of the year. Inasmuch as the culmination of all the festivals of Tishrei is the “Season of our Rejoicing,”2 and especially Simchat Torah, may G-d grant that the joy of Torah and mitzvot should permeate your daily life throughout the year. It is also a matter of common experience that things that are carried out with joy and enthusiasm yield the best results. The importance of simcha shel mitzvah is also emphasized in the Gemara.3
Since the above applies to every Jew, how much more so does it apply to one upon whom hashgacha pratit has bestowed a special capacity to exercise influence upon others, particularly upon the young. Thus, every improvement in matters of Torah and mitzvot on your part is reflected and compounded through your influence on others. Moreover, influence is not confined to the direct approach. Considerable indirect influence is also to be had by showing a living example, and very often one may not even be aware of the impression and impact that one has made through even a casual encounter.
With blessing,
[Sign.]
