This letter was addressed to R. Ben Tzion Shemtov, at that time, the Previous Rebbe’s emissary in England.

B”H, 29 Adar, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

My letter and the kuntreis for Purim no doubt reached you. I am amazed that you did not acknowledge your receipt of it.

It seems from your letters that you are still residing in Paris. Although it is difficult to make definitive statements from a distance, nevertheless, it appears regretful and amazing that you are spending so much time — which does not return — outside the place where my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, appointedyou as his emissary and agent. Perhaps one could say that the intent is that [your activity parallels the story of] the Maggid [of Mezritch who] taught his disciples yichudim (medi­tative states of oneness) that were related to particular countries — but then matters were spoken openly and everyone saw that these were actually meditative states of oneness.1 [In contrast,] in the present age, everything depends on becoming enclothed in a garment. Therefore it is possible to think that the intent itself is the galoshes, [i.e., the lowest garment].2

In truth, if the shaliach knew — i.e., knowledge representing deep connection and recognition, as it is written:3 “And Adam knew Chavah,” until he breaks4 his personal identity and self-concern — that he was sent by the principal, [he would ask himself]: If the principal is not concerned with the involvement with galoshes (according to the shaliach’s understanding), why is [the shaliach]soconcerned?

My intent is not to lecture, but to reiterate the concept stated in the enclosed kuntreis, sec. 3:5 That each one of our days is one of the days uniquely allotted to (a person) for the sake of serving G‑d. And there is a well-known statement of our Sages6 that a [Levite designated to] sing [in the Beis HaMikdash] should not help another [Levite whose mission is] to guard the gates, for his service must be in the place designated as his portion.

Enclosed is a kuntreis for Beis Nissan and a letter [concern­ing] Machne Israel. Note its conclusion which states that this type of service represents genuine greatness.

With greetings to all those who seek our welfare,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson