This letter was sent to R. Yitzchak Meir HaCohen Levin, one of the leaders of Agudas Yisrael and the Minister of Welfare in Eretz Yisrael.

ב"ה,
Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5711,
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

Before the approaching Season of the Giving of our Torah, I am extending my blessing that we celebrate the holiday of the acceptance of the Torah with joy and inner feeling.

I have much anguish from the prevailing situation in the Holy Land at present. Every day brings sadder tidings. Moreover, the division that exists among G‑d-fearing Jews themselves is a very painful blow.

Despite all the above, I still have strong hope that ultimately, a unified religious front can be formed. In particular, this is true after having spoken with Moshe Shapiro, the Minister of the Interior, about this.

As I have already written, in my opinion, it is clear that holding elections at this time will, Heaven forbid, create a stumbling block for the entire settlement [of Eretz Yisrael], as well as for the efforts being undertaken on its behalf in other lands, particularly in the US, e.g., the bond campaign, the UJA, the UN, etc. Since it is not hidden from everyone — in particular from those in Eretz Yisrael — that this matter is “very likely to lead to a loss and unlikely to lead to a profit,”1 it is not out of the question that with the appropriate efforts, it will be possible even at this late hour to nullify the elections. Nevertheless, if despite the above, [the nullification of the elections] will not be achieved, if it is possible to at least delay the elections for a certain time, it would appear that it is worthwhile to endeavor to do that to the extent possible. A small salvation 2 is still considered a salvation.

Knowing how you cherish the holiness of the words of Torah and the holy sichos of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע, the kuntreis for the Shavuos holiday of this year that was now published is being sent to you.

With greetings, with a holiday blessing and with reverence and appreciation,

M. Schneerson