Weekly Letter: Influence of Chabad, Loyalties and Obligations
In preparation for Yud Tes Kislev we share a letter in which the Rebbe addresses the influence of Chabad and various other loyalties and obligations. In it the Rebbe explains the teachings and ways of chassidus – which, contrary to what the detractors of chassidus say, add and strengthen all matters of Torah and mitzvos and is the ingredient which gives the necessary flavor and zest to all matters of Torah and mitzvos.
By the Grace of G-d
12Tammuz, 5720
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr.
London, England
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of you letter in which you touch upon the influence of Chabad and various other loyalties and obligations, etc.
There is, of course, the general principle that the larger sum already includes the smaller one, as our Sages expressed it, “In the sum of 200, 100 is included.” I refer to the teachings and way of life of Chassidus. For Chassidus did not come to minimize in any way, G-d forbid, but to add to and strengthen all matters of Torah and mitzvos by instilling a spirit if vivacity and enthusiasm into all aspects of Jewish life. The Baal Shem Tov, whose 200th anniversary of the completion of his life’s work we have just observed on the first day of Shavuot, placed the emphasis on serving G-d with joy and on the awareness of G-d’s providence which extends to everyone and in every detail, in particular – two basic principles which go hand in hand together. For, when one reflects on G-d’s benevolent Providence and His constant watchfulness and care, etc. there is no room for anxiety and the Jew can indeed serve G-d with joy and gladness of heart.
Although you will suspect me of being favorably inclined to the Chassidic point of view and I will not deny it, nevertheless the fact is that Chassidus, far from creating a conflict in the matter of allegiance to the Torah and mitzvos, is the ingredient which gives the necessary flavor and zest to all matters of Torah and mitzvos and can only strengthen and vitalize all positive forces in Jewish life.
I say this in all sincerity and with fullest conviction and I hope that you will accept these words in the spirit that they are given, especially as I am writing this letter on the auspicious Day of Liberation of my father-in-law of saintly memory, whose life and work fully reflect the above. You are surely familiar with the conditions of Jewish life in Soviet Russia in those days when, under pressure of extreme religious persecution, many spiritual Jewish leaders fled from their country, and my father-in-law remained to carry the banner of the Torah and mitzvos almost singlehanded. His work was not confined to the Chassidic community, as you know, but to all sections of Jewry, including what you call “the other camp,” supporting materially and spiritually rabbis, yeshivot and religious institutions also of the other camp and with the same selflessness and peril to his personal safety, as he worked for the Chassidic community. This he did with profound conviction that there are no camps in the Jewish people; that the Jewish people is one people, united by one Torah, under one G-d. This is a tradition that goes back to the founder of Chabad and the founder of Chassidus in general, who emphasized that the Chassidic movement is not the property of any one group but the heritage of all our people and that there will come a day when this will be realized in the fullest measure.
It is remarkable that when one reads the letters and the bans by the early opponents of the Baal Shem Tov and his teachings and if he does so without prejudice and with an open mind, it should make everyone a Chossid. In fact, the greater the attachment to and veneration of, the Gaon of Wilno, the chief opponent of Chassidus in those days, the greater and more loyal a Chossid one should become. The reason is plain, for those letters also state the reasons for opposing the Chassidim, namely, the fear that they may weaken the foundations of the Torah and mitzvos. How wrong these apprehensions were is obvious. Stop any Jew in the street, even one of the most stalwart adherents to “the other camp” and ask him “What is a Chossid and what is his way of life?”, he will unhesitatingly reply something like this: “A Chossid is a bearded Jew with long side locks, dressed in and old-fashioned way, who puts on two pairs of tefillin, prays much longer, boycotts the movies, careful to eat only shmura on Pesach , etc.” Further commentary is unnecessary.
I trust this will suffice on the subject matter, since this is the first time we have directly touched upon this question.
With best wishes of the Day, the Day of Liberation of my fatherin-law of saintly memory, may his merit stand us all in good stead and
With blessing,
