This letter was addressed to R. Efraim Eliezer HaKohen Yallis, one of the leading Rabbis in Philadelphia.

B”H, 10 Tammuz, 5709

Greetings and blessings,

It has been a long time since I heard from you. You and your household are all well, no doubt. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate [that we have lost touch]. In sacred texts, [there is] an allusion [to the separation that exists in the realm of holiness] brought from the verse:1 “Those who pursue sinful counsel draw near; they are far from Your Torah.” That verse can be interpreted as] “Those who pursue sinful counsel” — i.e., politicians — “draw near” — to each other. Those who identify with “your Torah” are “far” — from each other.

We have just now published a kuntreis for Yud-Beis/Yud-Gimmel [Tammuz];a copy of which is enclosed. With regard to concepts relevant to the present time:2 There are several levels regarding the laws [of acknowledging] a miracle3 (as noted in the commentaries to the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, sec. 218). They include:

a) a miracle that occurred to one’s teacher; but the connection between teacher and student is merely intellectual;

b) a miracle that occurred to one’s father; but the connection between father [and son] is only through the garment of the soul and does not [involve] the essence of the soul (see [the statements from] the writings of the AriZal quoted in Tanya, ch. 2);

c) a miracle that occurred to oneself; in this instance, however, there is a need for concern that one’s merits will be reduced (Shabbos 32a); hence, one’s happiness is not complete.

Higher than all the above with regard to all the details mentioned is a miracle that occurs to one’s Rebbe. For the soul of a chassid is a particular dimension of the Rebbe’s collective soul. And the happiness [experienced as a result of the miracle] is [felt] in a full sense, as is understood. May we, speedily in our days, celebrate in the rejoicing [that will accompany] the complete and encompassing Redemption led by Mashiach.

With wishes for all types of everlasting good,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson