This letter was sent to members of the executive committee of AgudasChassidei Chabad in the Holy Land, the steering body for the chassidic community there.

ב"ה,
24 Sivan, 5711,
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

I read your letter from 21 Iyar with pleasure. Because of several factors, my answer was delayed until the present. Forgiveness is yours.1

I was happy to read that you feel the great responsibility that rests upon you and that you have already resolved to expand the area of your activities and carry out in practice the goals of Agudas Chabad in the Holy Land. If, in general, time is precious, [as indicated by the verse]:2 “Days have been created, and to Him, they are one,” (in the verse, the term לו, translated as “to Him,” is written as לא, “not,”)3 this is particularly so in our generation of ikvesa deMeshicha,4 when, as my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע,5 would say,6 “Mashiach is standing ‘behind our wall.’”7 And it is especially true in our Holy Land, “on which the eyes of G‑d, your L‑rd, are [focused] from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.”8 As explained in [Tanya,] Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 14, a new light that has never yet shined within the world descends and shines from a higher level [each year]. On a more particular level, this same pattern applies every day.

a) With regard to your suggestion to add members to the directorate of Agudas Chabadin the Holy Land and that all [the present members] agreed to add: a representative from Jerusalem, R. Azriel Zelig Slonim; a representative from the village Safaria,9 R. Zalman Sudekevitch; and one of the young temimim, R. Yitzchak Gansburg: It is correct to include the above individuals. I agree to your suggestion. May it find success. I suggest that it would be valuable to add — after thorough consideration of the matter — another representative of the youth.

b) I am writing about a matter of immediate concern (since, unfortunately, it appears that elections will be held, and in the near future) to emphasize that it is both a holy obligation and privilege for all those who are G‑d-fearing and who revere the word of G‑d to participate in the elections, both [to vote] themselves and to influence others to do so. They should vote for the party that is most G‑d-fearing. Not one vote should go to waste.

With this [letter], I grant license and the authority to publicize my opinion with all the strength and power necessary that every man and woman who “fear G‑d and contemplate His name”10 do everything within their capacity to increase the number of those who vote for the party that is most G‑d-fearing.

c) In my opinion, Agudas Chabadmust arrange a special division for women. The intent of this suggestion is twofold: i) to organize the wives of Chabad chassidim and all those in whom the spirit of Chabad is dear to their hearts and souls; and ii) to carry out [outreach] work among women in general. It is self-understood that [women possess] unique character traits and special roles [that facilitate] such work.

d) In my opinion, the time has come to organize a special division among the young members of the chassidic brotherhood and those who are close to the spirit of Chabad. [Here, too,] there is a twofold purpose: i) to strengthen their own powers; and ii) to reach out to wider circles of youth, for [young people possess] unique character traits and special roles [that facilitate] such work.

With regard to suggestions (c) and (d), I have not given many details on these matters because much is dependent on the situation on site. [For this,] I rely on your understanding.11 Certainly, a detailed program of activity will be suggested that is appropriate to the needs of the place and the time. I will [therefore] wait for your suggestion. With thanks from the outset.

A note: It is self-understood that regarding the elections, there should also be a campaign among women and among youth. Nevertheless, one should not wait until these divisions are organized, because time is short. [Moreover,] the experience [that will be gained through] the election campaign will certainly be helpful in preparing suggestions for organizing these divisions.

With blessings for success in your holy work. Note that the name “Agudah”was chosen by our nasi. [Its meaning can be understood] based on the explanations in the maamar entitled Ki Haharim Yamushu, sec. 3, in Likkutei Torah,12 and the maamar entitled Velekachtem Agudas Eizov from the Tzemach Tzedek13 (which is now being prepared for publication).

May it be G‑d’s will that we all merit to carry out the will of our revered ancestors, the holy Rebbeim, the nesiim of Chabad, and that which is closest to us, the will of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe — amidst prosperity and without factors that involve the concealment and veiling [of G‑dliness].

May we soon witness the fulfillment of the prophecy that “the master will come,” i.e., the king Mashiach, for the wellsprings will have already been spread outward.14 And my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, will lead us to the true and complete Redemption.

With greetings to all the members of Agudas Chabadand particularly, the executive committee,

M. Schneerson