Igrot Kodesh · Letter 42 — Collective Responsibility · Outreach · Moshiach
Volume 1 · Letter 42
By the grace of Hashem,
Fourth light of Chanukah* 5703,
To our dear donor, the Rav* ...
I greet you and bless you,
You have no doubt already received your membership card for the Mishnah* learned by heart group.
The Gemara* establishes the principle of the collective responsibility of the Jews. The Rebbe Shlita* notes, in this regard, that the word Arev* [1] has, in addition, two other meanings, pleasant and interdependent. Thus, a Jew is pleasant to another Jew, the one and the other are interdependent. That is why they have a collective responsibility. Such is the content of his words.
It is thanks to the unique Torah* that the Jews constitute a unique and unified people to Hashem our Hashem, Who is One.
We therefore have good hope that you will not content yourself with aspiring to your own good, but that you will also seek that of others, by taking the broadest part in the work undertaken by Machaneh Yisrael*.
As the Rebbe Shlita has many times emphasized, we find ourselves in the last moments of the exile. The Torah and Teshuvah* are the only means of alleviating the birth pangs of Moshiach*.
The love that each person must feel for his fellow must awaken the most profound pity toward the one who, in the present era, has not yet attained Teshuvah.
The newspaper clippings at our disposal will allow you to understand that, given the situation, it is much easier for you to begin to act. Before doing so, it seems that it is a difficult task. Then, when one sets to work, one meets with success, with the help of Hashem.
Awaiting your response,
and with my blessing of immediate Teshuvah, immediate redemption,
Rav Menachem Schneerson
Director of the executive committee
N.B.: The Rebbe Shlita has just disseminated the letter [2] that we enclose for you. It is very important to give it the widest possible dissemination, for example by posting it in the synagogues.
[1] Which means responsible.
[2] For the fast of the 10th of Tevet*, which is discussed in the three preceding letters.