This letter was sent to Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Perlstein, an active communal Rabbi in Chicago.

ב"ה,
22 Iyar, 5711,
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

I have heard much about you from the chassidic communal leader Rabbi Moshe Leib Rodshtein. He spoke about your activities to strengthen Yiddishkeit in your city in general and even more so, your participation in the concerns of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע, and, in particular, [your involvement] with his holy institutions. I derived satisfaction from hearing that you will also be active in the [above] in the future, despite the great loss suffered by the nation of Israel, the loss of its captain, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע.

It is more proper not to say “despite the great loss.” Because after the great loss, a responsibility that is several-fold greater devolves on each one of us to strengthen his position against all the veilings and concealments [of G‑dliness]. In particular, this is true after this veiling and concealment, for “the passing of the righteous is more difficult to bear than the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash.”1 This obligates and gives a privilege to everyone who recognizes the needs of the Jewish people, particularly in these days of double and redoubled darkness where people identify light as darkness and darkness as light,2 to stand strong on his watch. Everyone who has influence over a particular area — and certainly, a Rabbi and the leader of a community — should make prodigious endeavors to strengthen Yiddishkeit and spread the Torah.

We have already been promised that everyone who makes an increase will be granted an increase.3 One of the interpretations of this is that anyone who adds strength to his service of Torah and mitzvos will be granted an increase of strength and potential to proceed from strength to strength. In particular, this applies to “the heads of your tribes,”4 the Rabbis of the communities, for the merit of the many is dependent on them, to guide them on the path that ascends to the House of G‑d.

May G‑d enable you to extend your days on your watch, a watch of holiness, amidst tranquility and prosperity. May you lead your congregation in peace — and the sole meaning of peace is Torah,5 as our Sages say (Sanhedrin 99b): “Whoever occupies himself in Torah study for the desired intent brings about peace in the heavenly company and peace in the earthly company. He will turn away many from sin,6 drawing their hearts close to our Father in heaven.

Enclosed is a sichah from Lag BaOmer7 that has recently been printed and a copy of a relevant communal letter that I hope will interest you.

With blessings for success in your holy work and all types of good in your personal matters,