Weekly Letter: What One Can do to Bring About A More Peaceful World
In view of the dire global situation facing us today – we share a letter where the Rebbe addresses the question of what one can do to bring about a more peaceful world.
By the Grace of G-d
12th of Teves, 5744
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr.
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11209
Greeting and Blessing:
This is in reply to your letter with enclosures. In it you write about the state of the world, especially in connection with the nuclear build-up, etc. and that the Jew must take a stand to bring about a more peaceful world, etc.
Needless to say, there is not much – generally speaking – that an individual can do to bring about a change in a situation of global dimensions. Moreover, whatever one tries to do, one cannot be sure of the degree of success, if any. At any rate, the effort must be centered on means and ways that offer the best prospects of hatzlocho.
It follows that what a Jew can really do, especially an Orthodox Jew, as you emphasize and indeed, do it with the fullest measure of hatzlocho, is to follow the clear directives of HaShem in His Torah namely, “Walk in My statutes and keep My mitzvos and do them…” whereupon HaShem promises a whole range of blessings, both material and spiritual, including peace and prosperity (Lev. 26:3 f. – see it there at length).
This is something which is, obviously within the ability of the Jew, inasmuch as the Torah and mitzvos will help bring about a change of heart among the world leaders to stop proliferating nuclear armaments and, instead, concentrate attention on peace and coexistence. However, since the Torah declares this absolutely, one’s understanding or lack of it, makes no difference. The Torah also declares that the “Hearts of kings and rulers are in G-d’s hands.”
In light of the above, strengthening one’s personal commitment to the way of Torah and mitzvos in the everyday life, and doing all one can to have other Jews do the same – and here, too, it is certain that every person can have and does have, an influence in one’s surroundings – will go a long way towards helping bring about peace and prosperity in the world.
Noting your concern with the above problem, I trust that you, on your own part, will do all you an in the said direction.
Although the Torah and mitzvos have to be observed for their own sake, as the imperatives of our Creator, every additional effort in this direction is bound to widen the channels for G-d’s blessings for hatzlocho in this as well as in other matters.
With blessing,
