Weekly Letter: United As One at the Giving of the Torah on Sinai
As we prepare to receive the Torah on Shavuos – we share a letter where the Rebbe explains the mystery of how one nation – a people so different and diversified one from the other, could be united as one at the giving of the Torah on Sinai.
By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5738
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr.
Highgate, London, N.6
Greeting and Blessing:
Although I already conveyed my reply to your query, I will reiterate my reply in writing. Briefly my advice is as follows:
It is clear that you ought to stay with the company by all means and continue directing it. In order to strengthen your position in the company, you should be as active as possible in the management of the business so that your usefulness to the company and your active directorship, etc. will be felt. As for expecting possible confrontations with your cousin, surely these can be reduced to a minimum by arranging a timetable whereby you would not be present in the premises at the same time too often. It is however, important for asserting your said role in the company that you participate in all, or at least most, of the Board meetings. Since in every corporate business it is no unusual that someone make an error of judgment or that there are situations where an immediate decision has to be made by someone in authority, while none is around – it would be highly desirable that you should be on the premises, at least for a certain time, on every working day, so that you can utilize such situations for the benefit of the company, as well as for entrenching your position in it. Also, strengthening your friendly relations with other members of the Board will help enhance your position in the company. So much fro the business matter.
I take this opportunity of expressing my regret that – for reasons you are aware of – it was impossible to talk things over with you personally and at length, nor meet your yonger daughter. However, when Jews meet at a farbrengen dedicated to Torah and Yiddishkeit, in a sacred place of tefilah and Torah study, especially one that had been graced by the presence of my father-in-law of saintly memory for ten years – this unites Jews and brings them closer together than a personal conversation.
Apropos of the above, and in connection with the forthcoming Festival of Mattan Torah, the unity of our people is directly related to it, as our Sages interpret the words, “and Israel encamped there facing the Mountain” (Yisro 19:2), taking note of the use of the singular person – HEBREW – k’ish echad b’lev echad, “like one man, with one heart” (Rashi, from Mechilta). It was the first time since the departure from Egypt that the Jewish people felt truly united and G-d said, “Now they are fit to receive the Torah.”
At first glance it seems extraordinary that a whole nation could be so united as to be described “like one person with one heart,” especially as it has been said that “people differ in their outlooks as they differ in their looks,” and there are various walks of life and interests. But the explanation is found in the words, “facing the Mountain.” For when the Jewish people were about to receive the Torah, they were all of like mind and heart and all so eager to receive the Torah and its mitzovs that in the light of it everything else paled into insignificance and thus they all truly became like one person with one heart.
Since the Torah was given not only to our ancestors coming out of Egypt, but the souls of all Jews of all future generations were present and joined in “na’aseh v’nishma,” the reading of the portion of Mattan Torah on Shavuos – most solemnly and with a brocho before and after – inspires everyone of us to relive this experience and rejuvenates the powers of every Jew to renew his and her commitment to Torah and mitzvos with increased vigor and vitality and joy. May it be so with you and yours and all of us in the midst of all our people.
Wishing you and all your family a joyous and inspiring Yom Tov and the traditional blessing to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.
With blessing,
