This letter was addressed to Mr. Baruch Litvin.

B”H, 2 Sivan, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

I duly received your letter. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to answer you until now because of the preoc­cupation with my work preparing [texts] for printing. Among the publications are the sichah from Lag BaOmer, the kuntreis for Shavuos, and [the booklet]The Complete Story of Shavuos. (I have directed that you be sent all of the above. The Complete Story of Shavuos is enclosed.)

I was happy to read your letter about the powerful and positive impression the description — in the Memoirs1 — of Benyamin Wolf and the other hidden [tzaddikim] made on the Jews in your shul.

You should have pointed out two lessons in particular that every one of us — and they — should learn from these stories:

a) With regard to others: Whenever we meet another Jew, we must always remember that even though he appears to be a very simple person, and even perhaps on a lower level, [i.e.,] that he is not dutiful in his observance and the like, we can never be sure of who he is in truth and what his inner dimen­sions are. For there were always — and there are today — hidden [tzaddikim] among the Jewish people: many, many more than 362 of them. Therefore we have to look upon [every person] in a favorable light, being careful regarding his honor, and trying to do him a favor to whatever degree possible.

b) With regard to oneself: Each one of us has hidden poten­tials, which — were he only to have a strong desire to use them — will enable him, with G‑d’s help, to reach the highest peaks. For when a Jew connects himself to G‑d Who is infinite through the Torah and its mitzvos, he has the potential to break through all limitations. In this context, our Sages say:3 “A person is obligated to say: ‘When will my deeds reach the deeds of my forefathers: Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.’”

How are your studies — both your own and those with others — proceeding? You no doubt participate in a communal study session?

I conclude with a wish for the upcoming Shavuos holiday: that we all receive the Torah with happiness and inner feeling; that it be a Torah of life for us. It should not be a Torah which we honor and we keep, but regard as distant so that it will not disturb our everyday life. Instead, it should be a Torah that directs us with regard to our — and everyone’s — life.

With blessings for a happy holiday,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson