To Rabbi Yosef Wineberg, who was then a student in the Lubavitcher Yeshivah in Montreal.
B”H, Monday, 2 Tammuz, 5703
Greetings and blessings,
In response to your letter asking to clarify the reason why you did not receive a response from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, to your letter describing your efforts with regard to spreading Shabbos observance and the like:
I brought up the matter [to my revered father-in-law] before Shavuos and again this present week. Before Shavuos and directly thereafter, there was no opportunity to receive answers except for extremely pressing matters. Certainly, in the coming week, you will receive an answer to your questions from my revered father-in-law.
I would like to take this opportunity to spur you again to continue writing your journal1 from the years 5699-5700 which you ceased shortly after starting.
[In that context,] clarification is necessary whether the motif “If you will abandon Me for a day, I will abandon you for two days” applies only with regard to Torah study (as might appear from the Zohar, Vol. III, p. 36a).
Or is it relevant with regard to all matters of holiness (as appears to be the intent of Rashi, in his commentary to Devarim 11:12 who quotes the saying in reference to the phrase “If you shall forget” which speaks about the fear of heaven)?
Or is it a natural tendency which is applicable in all areas where forgetfulness is possible as might be construed from the examples given to illustrate the concept by the Talmud Yerushalmi in the conclusion of the tractate of Berachos?
With the blessing “Immediately to teshuvah, immediately to Redemption,”
Rabbi Menachem Schneerson
Chairman of the Executive Committee
