Encouragement not to postpone one’s spiritual tasks

Letter No. 489:

From correspondence of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; translated by Eli Touger

From the Sichos in English Collection

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An analysis of the passage (Bava Basra 147a): “If the holiday of Shavuos is a clear day (without clouds), sow wheat”

An analysis of the advice Achitophel gave his sons before his passing (Bava Basra 147a)

B”H, the days preceding the Shavuos holiday, 5709

This letter was addressed to Rabbi A. Z.

Greetings and blessings,

I have not heard the reason for the change in the appearance of the Yud in [the Rebbe’s] signature — see also the two letters in the [enclosed] kuntreis.

[Regarding] what you write in your letter, “When I have the opportunity, I will study:”1 Everything that occurs to a Jew in general, and certainly to a chassid whobelieves in hashgachah peratis as taught by the Baal Shem Tov, understands that the time when the suggestion was made and the events that happen at that time [are significant]. This is especially true [since the suggestion] comes from one’s Rebbe. [An example is] the well-known incident that occurred with Reb Y. C. of Lieple in the morning on the day before Pesach, before prayer.2

« Previous

An analysis of the passage (Bava Basra 147a): “If the holiday of Shavuos is a clear day (without clouds), sow wheat”

An analysis of the advice Achitophel gave his sons before his passing (Bava Basra 147a)

Footnotes

[Cf. Avos 2:4. The recipient of the letter had obviously been offered a project from the Rebbe, but had procrastinated.]

[Perhaps the reference is to R. Yekusiel (or R. Yechezkel) of Lieple. As explained in Hisvaadiyos, 5744, Vol. III, p. 1472, it was customary for the Tzemach Tzedek to supply Pesach needs (e.g., matzah, maror, and the like) to the chassidim who came as guests to Lubavitch for Pesach. One year, R. Yekusiel came as a guest and the Tzemach Tzedek sent him a package in the morning on the day preceding the holiday.

That night, R. Yekusiel asked the Tzemach Tzedek for the Pesach supplies. The Tzemach Tzedek replied that he had already sent them. R. Yekusiel asked: “When?” The Tzemach Tzedek answered: “In the morning.”

“Oh,” R. Yekusiel answered. “The messenger told me that the Rebbe had sent something for me. I saw that it was food and I ate it immediately. And it helped me in my davening.” See also Sefer HaSichos 5696, p. 230ff.]