Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3527 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H

3 Sivan* 5715

Brooklyn

To the directors of the beis midrash* following the rite of the Arizal*,

May Hashem grant you long life,

Greetings and blessings,

I have duly received your letter of 24 Iyar*, which was drafted by your secretary on behalf of all the directors, and I am responding to it.

In general, when two viewpoints clash (see also the following letter) and a dispute erupts — declared, leading to the uttering of harsh words — the responsibility lies with both parties. This responsibility may be unequally shared, sometimes even lying with one side much more than the other. But in any case, both camps bear it.

It is needless to point out that differences of opinion are normal, for "not all are of the same mind." However, no conflict should result from them, especially not in its most bitter form.

How much more so when it involves a shul*, in which one prays to Hashem, in which Jews gather to implore Hashem to satisfy their material and spiritual needs. And Hashem, Who is the Essence of good, wishes to accede to their requests and prayers. Nevertheless, it is necessary for this that all who pray in that shul*, all who have a say there, keep in mind the statement of the Mishnah* that "the Holy One, blessed be He, found no other vessel to contain the blessing for Israel than peace."

This ruling of the Mishnah* enables one to understand even more clearly how fundamental it is that peace prevail in a shul*. This is in addition to the fact that, in general, peace is obviously desirable.

It is difficult to hear the arguments of only one party — the Halachah* forbidding one to do so — or to reach a final decision in such a situation from a distance. Nevertheless, I am convinced that with good will, any decision made from another place will be unnecessary. It will suffice to speak about it and to remember what the Alter Rebbe* explains in chapter 41 of the Tanya*: "The Holy One, blessed be He, sets aside the heavenly and earthly creatures, stands before him, observes him, searches his kidneys and heart." This is so, in the most literal sense, for each of those who will gather to address the problem you raise in your letter.

Each one must meditate on the truth of all this, to be fully permeated by the elevation of the place, which reveals holiness when one is there, and which enables one subsequently to carry that holiness home. In this way, one will surely find the means for peace to reign among all, for long days and good years. All, with a whole heart, will spread among their surroundings the positive influence emanating from this beis midrash*, as befits a shul* bearing such a name — "of the rite of the Arizal*."

These days, during which one prepares for the giving of the Torah*, are particularly auspicious for putting into practice the words of the verse stating that the children of Israel received the Torah* when "Israel camped there, facing the mountain" — in the singular, meaning "all as one man."

Awaiting your good news on this matter in the near future, and with my blessing that you receive the Torah* with joy and in a profound manner,