This letter was addressed to R. Aryeh Dov Edelman of Paris, France.

ב"ה,
4 Tammuz, 5711,
Brooklyn.

Greetings and blessings,

I received both of your pannim.1 When I will be at the gravesite of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, זצוקללה"ה נבג"ם, זי"ע, I will read them. Certainly, he will arouse abundant mercy [from Above] to fulfill all the desires of your heart for the good. Undoubtedly, you will share good tidings with me concerning everything that takes place regarding all of the individuals mentioned in the pan....

With regard to your journey to Ireland:2 In general, it would be appropriate if you would find a manner in which your journey would also involve your “spiritual livelihood.” It is understood how important earning one’s material livelihood is, as explained in the revealed teachings of Torah Law, and in particular, in the teachings of Chassidus. Nevertheless, there is somewhat of an unpleasant taste to the matter: A minyan of chassidim who learned in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim travel [to a place] once, twice, and a third time. They slaughter hundreds of animals. They receive their wages in pounds or in francs and then they return home. To our eyes of flesh, it does not appear that they are fulfilling their mission in this world, nor does it appear to be refined conduct.

It is related that in the era of the Mitteler Rebbe, there was a directive to all the chassidim that as they traveled — more particularly, as they walked — home, they should review teachings of Chassidus in all the places that they passed through. This included even very small villages that were on their way. Now, the purpose of their traveling or going to Lubavitch was to visit Lubavitch and come home. [Nevertheless, their stopping in] all of the places that they passed through was not an interruption of their journey. On the contrary, those [stops] made [the entire journey] one continuum.

I am certain that after you take a strong look — see the writings of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, regarding what it means to look — [you will see] that although the purpose of your journey to Ireland is to earn your livelihood and that of your household, and then to return home, there is what to be accomplished in the places and the situations in between. In these activities, it should be evident that they are being carried out by chassidim who studied in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim and who are bonded with my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe.

May it be G‑d’s will that you find appropriate work and an appropriate manner to add at least a little light to the darkness of the world even in this journey.

With blessings for a befitting journey and successful work. Greetings to the entire fellowship,