By the Grace of G‑d
24 Kislev, 5716 [1955]
Brooklyn

Greetings and Blessings!

In1 the course of the farbrengen60 that took place on the luminous date of Yud-Tes Kislev,2 the festival on which — to quote the well-known letter of the Rebbe Rashab3 — “He redeemed our soul in peace and our soul’s light and vitality was granted to us,” I was informed of what happened to yourself and your wife (May neither you nor we know of such things!).

This news was conveyed at an auspicious time. Now, there is a teaching of the Alter Rebbe (in Tanya — Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 234 ) which he received from his mentors,5 that “if one angel were to stand in the presence of a gathering of ten Jews, even if there were no words of Torah between them, [...he would become utterly nullified].” How much more must this apply to a gathering of numerous tens of Jews who are exuberantly celebrating [the liberation of] the head of the Jewish people [viz., the Alter Rebbe]. Accordingly, I am certain that your condition will improve speedily, in the spirit of the explanation given in Likkutei Torah, Parshas Korach, of the verse,6 “His word runs most swiftly.”

Your trust in G‑d will no doubt not be diminished at all (Heaven forfend), for bitachon is the conduit28 through which one receives outstanding success from Above. I hope to hear good news from you soon on this subject — especially since now is the eve of the days of Chanukah, which are governed by the law that one must constantly increase [the number of] lights and increase the presence of holiness even outside [one’s dwelling]. In particular, this is accomplished by disseminating the wellsprings [of the teachings of Chassidus] outward7 — until “night will be as light as day,”8 with the coming of our Righteous Mashiach, speedily, and in our own days, Amen.

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