The Potential of One Deed

The Merkos Shlichus program, in which a pair of bochurim scout an area for Yidden, planting seeds for Yiddishkeit, was established in 5703 under the Frierdiker Rebbe, and was expanded over the years. One such bochur, after doing the Merkos Shlichus work over the summer of 5719, was disheartened with how relatively few people were reached. He shared his disillusionment with the Rebbe.

The Rebbe’s response, which included three points, “all of which are accurate,” was recorded by the Rebbe’s mazkir Harav Chodakov in his personal notes:

1. Sometimes one person who was inspired reaches out to another. This is called a chain reaction.
2. In a more successful scenario, a person of greater character can be influenced. If this person begins to be active with his own talents, an explosion can occur, like a spark reaching a barrel of gun powder.
3. Besides for the above, it is an explicit halacha in Rambam: One must value one mitzva as if this one deed can tip the scale for the entire world.

(Hiskashrus 631)