5906 —עבודת צעירי אגו"ח בהפצת המעיינות ולא בתעמולה לאמירת תהלים, וכנוס נוער ע"פ תכנית

B"H, 8 Kislev, 5718

Brooklyn.

The Rabbi and Chassid, a G‑d-fearing man, distinguished and honored, engaged in communal needs^[1], our teacher Rabbi Avraham Chanoch, may he live

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In reply to your letter of the 2nd and 3rd of Kislev, in which you also write as the representative of the meeting of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad^[2] about the idea of conducting a broad campaign for the recitation of Tehillim as it is divided for the days of the month^[3].

Now, although the greatness of the matter needs no lengthy explanation, as is also understood from the letters of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe^[4], on this, on the other hand this is not the special task of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad, that is^[5], their main work, which is spreading the wellsprings – I mean the study of the teachings of Chassidus and walking in its guidance – even though the above is one of the takkanos and directives. For there is reason to fear that through occupying themselves with this campaign, more and more would be lacking from their work in the other main matters; and moreover, such a campaign has no limit... Therefore, in my opinion, they should gird themselves with all strength to establish firmly all the activities they have already begun, and in addition to them, help the Chabad institutions in the Holy Land, may it be built and established^[6], as far as it depends on them; and for the time being not think of new activities on a broad scale, except where matters are on the agenda whose time has come^[7].

It is understood and plain that all the above concerns special work to instill this takkanah; but obviously, at every opportunity one should mention and arouse people about this takkanah, and likewise about the daily study of Chumash and Tanya^[8].

I was pleased with the idea you write of, a gathering of youth in Kfar Chabad^[9]; and I hope that the preparations will be made according to a plan, and all the more so and by an a fortiori argument^[10], that the gathering itself will be run by a plan detailed in advance, and with the necessary energy – especially after the experience of the last youth gathering, where they saw the shortcomings caused by the lack of a detailed plan and the lack of coordination among the activists; and this is easy to understand^[11].

With blessing for good news^[12] in all the above.

P.S.

Since this gathering is almost the first attempt of its kind, I will, without a vow^[13], urge Anash to take part in it, from the special appeal, with a third of the expenses.

Publisher's notes

Our teacher Rabbi Avraham Chanoch, may he live (מו"ה אברהם חנוך שי'): Glitzenstein, Lod. Further letters to him – above, letter 5871, and in the references in the notes there.

Notes

1. The Rabbi and Chassid... engaged in communal needs (הרה"ח אי"א נו"נ עוסק בצ"צ): Titles of honor: הרב החסיד, איש ירא אלקים, נעלה ונכבד, עוסק בצרכי ציבור; מוה' = מורנו הרב. The recipient is R. Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein of Lod (see the publisher's notes).

2. Representative of... Tzeirei Agudas Chabad (ב"כ... צעירי אגו"ח): ב"כ = בא כח, "representative"; צעירי אגו"ח = צעירי אגודת חב"ד, the Chabad youth organization (in the Holy Land).

3. Tehillim as it is divided for the days of the month (אמירת תהלים כפי שנחלק לימי החדש): The takkanah of the Previous Rebbe to say each day the portion of Tehillim as divided for the days of the month, which he urged in many of his letters (this is "one of the takkanos" mentioned later in the letter). Tzeirei Agudas Chabad proposed a broad campaign to spread its recitation.

4. My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe (כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר): The Previous Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.

5. That is (ז.א.): זאת אומרת. Although saying Tehillim is one of the Previous Rebbe's takkanos and directives, the special task of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad is spreading the study of Chassidus; a broad campaign for something else, with no limit to it, could swallow their strength and take away from their main work.

6. May it be built and established (ת"ו): תבנה ותכונן, said after mentioning the Holy Land (באה"ק = בארץ הקודש).

7. Whose time has come (שהזמן גרמא): Literally "that time causes," that is, matters whose time is now and cannot be put off; the phrase is borrowed from "a positive mitzvah caused by time" (Kiddushin 29a). לע"ע = לעת עתה, "for the time being."

8. The daily study of Chumash and Tanya (השיעור דחומש ותניא): The daily shiurim instituted by the Previous Rebbe: a portion of Chumash with Rashi each day from the weekly parshah, and Tanya as divided for the days of the year; together with Tehillim, the three shiurim known as Chitas.

9. A gathering of youth in Kfar Chabad (כנוס של בני נוער בכפר חב"ד): On the youth gathering in Kfar Chabad that was later held, see below, letter 6064 (Shevat 5718), where the Rebbe writes that he was pleased to read about it, and asks that its impression – and not only an impression but real activity – be felt in the days that follow.

10. All the more so and by an a fortiori argument (מכש"כ וק"ו): מכל שכן וקל וחומר.

11. And this is easy to understand (וק"ל): וקל להבין. Since at the last gathering they clearly saw the shortcomings caused by poor planning and poor coordination among the activists, they must learn from it and prepare this gathering with a detailed plan in advance and in coordination.

12. Good news (בשו"ט): בשורות טובות.

13. Without a vow (בל"נ): בלי נדר. The Rebbe will urge Anash (אנשי שלומנו) that the special appeal cover a third of the gathering's expenses.

Summary

This letter tells Tzeirei Agudas Chabad that, great as the daily Tehillim takkanah is, a broad campaign for it is not their special task and could drain their main work of spreading Chassidus; they should strengthen what they have begun and help Chabad institutions, while mentioning Tehillim and Chitas at every opportunity. A planned youth gathering in Kfar Chabad must be prepared in detail, learning from the last one, and Anash will cover a third of its cost.