Igrot Kodesh · Letter 591 — Spiritual Connection to the Rebbe After Histalkus

By the grace of Hashem,

3 Iyar 5710,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem,

the Rav A.,[1]

I greet you and bless you.

I received your letter in its time, I transmitted the check as you requested, and you will find enclosed the receipt. I also enclose for you the booklet of 19 Kislev 5710, which contains the last public sicha* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe.

On every occasion,[2] particularly on Shabbos* and the festivals — when each person has clearer access to spirituality than during the rest of the week — we all gather, those who have had the merit of being his disciples, attached to him, in order to feel the presence and the inner spirit of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, as indicated in chapter 27 of Iggeret HaKodesh of the Alter Rebbe and its commentary.[3]

My father-in-law, the Rebbe, devoted his life to the good of all and of each one in particular, and to that of his disciples in particular. Without doubt, he continues to dispense his blessings.

Nevertheless, these are now, to a certain extent, different from what they were before. For his soul is now freed from the limits and restrictions imposed by the body. It receives successive elevations, which is precisely the meaning of the word Histalkus*. His blessings, both material and spiritual, are therefore higher and stronger. As a result, the one who receives them must make himself worthy of obtaining them by accomplishing his own elevation.

Throughout his life, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, showed us the path of elevation, not only in thought, but also in concrete action. At present, his lips still move in this world when one repeats his countless teachings — Chassidic discourses, sichos*, letters.

By giving concrete expression to his will and desire, we forge the vessels that allow us to obtain the highest blessings he wishes to bestow upon us. The period of the Exodus from Egypt, from limits and barriers, of the counting of the Omer* and the giving of the Torah on Shavuos* — the festival in which each of us must free himself from his own restrictions, including the Egypt of holiness, and even more so from human logic and the animal soul, in order to prepare to receive the Torah — is particularly conducive to spiritual elevation.

Nevertheless, one must beware of the deceptions of the evil inclination. And these days will also allow one to receive the highest blessings, both material and spiritual at once.

Wishing you all the best,

Rav Menachem Schneerson