6664 —ביקור בניו יורק – להתאימו לזמני התוועדות ויום טוב, ולקחת מהם לכל השנה

B"H, 27 Teves, 5719
Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In reply to your letter of 24 Teves, the hilula of the Alter Rebbe, of saintly and blessed memory, whose soul is in the hidden treasuries on High, may his merit protect us^[1].

In it you write about the idea of visiting Canada and also New York^[2].

In general the idea is not unfounded, especially as you write of a strong longing, etc.^[3] However, since you write about New York, the visit should have been timed for occasions of a farbrengen, a Yom Tov and the like, as it is known that on the days of Yom Tov one can take more, and take for the whole year^[4].

May G‑d^[5] help that you decide as is best, and in a good that is visible and revealed^[6], and that you be able to report good news in all the above, and also of the activities of both of you, each according to his own matter^[7], in strengthening and widening the matters of Chassidus to the greatest possible extent, and that you do this in proper health.

With blessing for good news^[8] in all the above.

P.S.^[9]

At an auspicious time all those about whom you write will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of saintly and blessed memory, whose soul is in the hidden treasuries on High, may his merit protect us^[10], each one for what he needs, according to the content of your letter.

Notes

1. The hilula of the Alter Rebbe… (הילולא של כ"ק אדמו"ר הזקן זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע): כ"ק = כבוד קדושת; זצוקללה"ה = זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה לחיי העולם הבא; נבג"מ = נשמתו בגנזי מרומים; זי"ע = זכותו יגן עלינו. 24 Teves is the yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe (passed away 24 Teves 5573).

2. Visiting Canada and also New York (לבקר בקנדה וכן בנויארק): ע"ד = על דבר. The recipient wrote of his plan to travel to visit Canada and also New York.

3. A strong longing (געגועים חזקים): The recipient wrote of a strong longing to come and visit; for this reason the Rebbe says the idea is "not unfounded".

4. One can take more, and take for the whole year (קען מען נעמען מער און נעמען לכל השנה): וכיו"ב = וכיוצא בזה. A visit to New York should fall at a time of a farbrengen or Yom Tov, when one can receive more of the inspiration and take from it for the whole year.

5. G‑d (והשי"ת): והשי"ת = והשם יתברך.

6. In a good that is visible and revealed (בטוב הנראה והנגלה): that the good be open and visible, not only a hidden good.

7. Both of you, each according to his own matter (שניהם כאו"א לפי ענינו): כאו"א = כל אחד ואחד. The recipient and one other person mentioned in his letter, each according to his own matter and role; the printed letter does not say who the second person is.

8. Good news (לבשו"ט): לבשו"ט = לבשורות טובות.

9. P.S. (נ.ב.): נ.ב. = נכתב בצדו, a postscript added after the body of the letter.

10. At an auspicious time… the holy resting place (בעת רצון… על הציון הק'): at a suitable time, when the Rebbe goes to the Ohel, the resting place of the Previous Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn; כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר = כבוד קדושת מורי וחמי אדונינו מורנו ורבנו. The names listed in the recipient's letter will be mentioned there, each for what he needs, according to the letter.

Summary

Answering a letter written on the Alter Rebbe's hilula, the Rebbe agrees that a visit to New York is reasonable, given the recipient's strong longing, but advises timing it for a farbrengen or Yom Tov, when one can receive more and take it for the whole year. He blesses the activities of both in spreading Chassidus and promises to mention those named at the Ohel.