Igrot Kodesh · Letter 2235 — Grief & Loss

B"H,

23 Elul 5713,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I have duly received your letters of 10 and 15 Elul, as well as the previous ones. I am pleased to note that you grant extenuating circumstances to all those around you. Our Sages and, in particular, the texts of Chassidus* underscore the importance of such an attitude. Nevertheless, this can in no way substitute for the actions that ought to be carried out and that are lacking.

When extenuating circumstances prevent one from acting and from encouraging action, even if Hashem rewards the one who grants them, the loss caused by this lack of zeal must indeed be taken into account.

You know the saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe[1], whose merit shall protect us, according to which "the essential mission of the angels Michael and Matat…[2] consists in putting in writing the merits of Yisrael." And the Tzemach Tzedek*[3] adds that "we are workers of the day," charged with transmitting clarity. For this, concrete actions are necessary.

In order not to deceive oneself, one will take a sheet of paper and write what one has done and what one could have done.

With my blessing that you be inscribed and sealed for a good year, together with all the members of your family,

[1] See also letter no. 1910.
[2] Matatron, "the angel whose name is similar to that of his Creator."
[3] See, on this subject, letter no. 1564.

ב״ה ,כ״ז אלול ,תשי״ג

ברוקלין.

שלום וברכה׳

מאשר הנני בזה קבלת מכ׳ מעש״ק תבא עם הפ״נ ,ועליו הי׳

להסביר לחתנו שי׳ שאין זה סדר להתנהג ככה עם השי״ת ,שקודם,

כאשר הבת היתה ל״ע לא בריאה מתחייבים ,ולאחר מכן נחלשים

בהתחייבות ומחכים עד שר״ל מגיע מיחוש חדש ונזכרים אודות

ההתחייבות ,מובן שדברים אלו צריך להסבירו בדרכי נועם ובניחותא

וכו׳ ,והשי״ת יצליחו למצוא האותיות המתאימות ואשר אצל חתנו שי׳

יהיו אודנין פתיחין . . .

בברכה.