This letter was sent to R. Yitzchak Aharon Goldin.

B”H, 4 Elul, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

Your note, together with the 20 mezuzos 1 15 for nifneh 2 and 5 for Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch — was received and was gratefully given for those purposes. It was surprising that you contented yourself with two mere lines in your letter without providing information about what is being done regarding spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus outward, and also, without [mentioning the spreading of those] wellsprings within [the chassidic community itself].

It is superfluous to elaborate on the great importance of maamad and the support of an institution which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, considered so important that he himself was involved in gathering the means necessary for its functioning. I am speaking about Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch.

Nevertheless, the demands of the teachings of Chassidus are well known — that one’s commitment and devotion must involve all the powers of the soul — ChaBaD, ChaGaT, NeHYM 3 — and one’s thought, speech and deed. Now, as explained in Tanya, 4 when the term mitzvah is used without modification, it is referring to tzedakah, because[making such gifts] includes all the powers of the soul. And in Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 9, [it is explained that in this era of] ikvesa diMeshicha, the time when Mashiach’s approaching footsteps can be heard, there is no way to truly cling to [G‑d] and transform darkness into light except through the dimension of deed, which is also identified with tzedakah.

Nevertheless, despite the above, a person does not fulfill his obligation with this alone. As explained in Tanya itself, in its first section: All the powers of one’s soul and all one’s garments must be permeated by the Torah and its mitzvos.

This applies particularly to the students, the temimim, who are [now] vintage chassidim who must provide an example for others. As such, they must be, to what ever degree possible, “a city that contains everything.” 5 If abstract intellectual comprehension is required, he possesses that. If [guidance in how to] work with oneself is required, [he is able to say:] “It’s yours [for the asking].” And if actual deed is required, [he can modestly say:] “I possess [many good] deeds.”

It is difficult for me to elaborate more because I do not know your spiritual tendencies. My intent is only to help and not to find fault. My hope is, however, that these lines will be sufficient for you.

Certainly, you do not need to be notified — [which would serve as] a ray of light 6 — about the concept of bonding to a Nasi, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ. This bonding is achieved through studying his teachings and following the paths he has shown us. Certainly, you have fixed times to study the teachings of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ. How nice it would be if the study was with a group, so that one person could reinforce and stimulate his colleague!

It is self-understood that the above does not free one from the other fixed study sessions which each person is obligated to observe, including the study sessions that are universally applicable on a day-to-day basis; i.e., Chumash, with Rashi’s commentary, Tehillim as it is divided according to a monthly schedule, and Tanya, as it was divided according to an annual schedule by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ.

With blessings for a kesivah vachasimah tovah for you and for your entire household; may you use your organizational skills to pave the way for the coming of the messenger [of the Redemption], through the light of Chabad teachings,

Menachem Schneerson