6769 —הסברת מהות חסידות חב"ד בכתב למבקש: למלא בקשתו, לציין המקורות ולומר לו את החשש

B"H, 13 Adar II^[1], 5719
Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After the longest interruption, your letter of 7 Adar II^[2] was received, bringing the good news of the improvement in your health. May it be G‑d's will that you return to your full strength^[3], in the plain sense and in the sense that the word carries, as explained in the Alter Rebbe's discourse beginning "Maskil le'Eisan ha'Ezrachi"^[4] (printed in the Kuntres Limud HaChassidus), and that you report good news in everything, both in general matters and in private matters, for the one depends on the other.

As to your question: a certain person has asked you to set out for him in writing the essence of Chabad Chassidus, and you ask whether you are qualified for this.

That person is of a special kind, who does not accept an explanation of this from just anyone; and since he turned to you, it is proper to fulfill his request according to your knowledge. As for your concern whether you are qualified for it: surely you will indicate the sources to him, and the main thing is that you should tell him of your concern. For several reasons it is proper that you keep a copy of what you give him, so that, if suitable, you can use it elsewhere as well.

With blessing for good news^[5] in all the above, and for a joyous Purim,

M. Schneersohn

Publisher's notes

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 23, p. 487.

Notes

1. Adar II (אד"ש): אד"ש = אדר שני, the second Adar (5719 was a leap year). 13 Adar II 5719 was Monday, 23 March 1959, the Fast of Esther.

2. 7 Adar II (ז' אד"ש): Tuesday, 17 March 1959.

3. That you return to your full strength (שיחזור לאיתנו): The words of the verse (Shemos 14:27): "וישב הים לפנות בקר לאיתנו", "and the sea returned at daybreak to its strength"; Rashi there: "לאיתנו – לתקפו הראשון", "to its strength: to its original might." That is: that he return to his former strength and health, "in the plain sense"; and also "in the sense that the word carries", as explained in the discourse to which the Rebbe refers.

4. The discourse beginning "Maskil le'Eisan ha'Ezrachi" (ד"ה משכיל לאיתן האזרחי): ד"ה = דיבור המתחיל, "the discourse beginning". On the verse (Tehillim 89:1): "משכיל לאיתן האזרחי", "A maskil of Eisan the Ezrachite"; Rashi there: "Eisan the Ezrachite: he too was one of the five brothers who were singers; and our Rabbis interpreted it as Avraham our father, after 'Who aroused from the east'." The Rebbe refers to this discourse with the same blessing, "that you return to your full strength", also above, letter 6582.

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

Summary

The Rebbe welcomes news of the recipient's improved health and blesses him to return to full strength, in both senses explained in the Alter Rebbe's discourse Maskil le'Eisan. Asked whether he is qualified to explain Chabad Chassidus in writing to someone who requested it, he answers that he should do so, cite the sources, tell him his hesitation, and keep a copy for use elsewhere.