4 Teves, 5722
Describing the episode that brought to the original letter sent by the Rebbe
“...I want to bring a recent episode to your attention which has a bearing on the subject matter.
It is related to one of our activities, whereby some of our young men visit various communities and university campuses, where they speak on the matters of practical interest from the point of view of traditional Yiddishkeit. Where possible, they also speak about Chassidus. Such visits are often arranged in response to invitations and the like. Thus, recently, in connection with Yud Tes Kislev and Chanukah, a number of such lectures had been arranged in various parts of the country. On the last day of Chanukah, a similar lecture had been arranged in a certain college town, at the invitation of communal and campus leaders, who participated, and which was generally very well attended, including a goodly number of Jews who are not as yet observers of the Torah and mitzvot in the fullest sense. But all were equally impressed by the fact that American-born young men, including Ph.D's, and professionals belonging to the Chabad movement, took time out to visit them and bring them “The Word of G-d," with the emphasis on the practical aspects of the Jewish way of life. For however highly we value the principle that "G-d desires the heart," the important thing ultimately is the actual deed and practice.
After this lengthy introduction, I come to the point, namely, the episode which I want to bring to your attention. When the speaker concluded his address, in which he also referred to his own experiences, as well as his discussions with me, one of the leaders of the community arose and mentioned the fact that he, too, had had an opportunity to speak with me some two years ago, when I strongly urged him—as a start—to begin putting on tefillin immediately. Without committing himself one way or another, out of respect for me, this gentleman went on to say that he, in fact, had not accepted my suggestion. A further question by the engineer as to the reason why he had not accepted my suggestion, elicited the reply that one of the problems which had not been solved in his mind was the discrepancy between the scientific point of view and that of the traditional Jewish point of view regarding the age of the world. In fact, the gentleman quoted the Rabbinic saying שית אלפי שנה הוה עלמא וכו’, since, at one time, he had been learning Gemoro. So much for the episode.
I will not go into the question of how logical this gentleman was in his reply that because of a certain problem he was unwilling to put on tefillin. But the episode does illustrate the fact that there are (and numerous) Jews who still ignore the fact that their souls, too, were present at Mt. Sinai, and a question of doubt, which can and should be dispelled, still prevents them from, or at least provides them with the pretext or excuse to, disregard the actual observance of the Torah and mitzvot.
I am not unmindful of the fact that there may be some among them who even after the said question will be satisfactorily answered, will find other questions in order to justify their present disposition. But that does not invalidate my position.
I cited the above incident not because it is an unusual one, but on the contrary, as I indicated in my previous letter to you, I know for a fact that this and similar problems still confuse many Jews, and to such an extent that a person, who is prominent in the community, and is of middle age, finds himself impelled to voice his doubt openly in the presence of hundreds of other Jews, among whom there wasn't one to challenge the statement.
I trust you will forgive me for my persistence in urging you again to consider my suggestion and request that you take this problem to heart.”
It is well to note that Cyril Domb’s position on this matter was quite different than the Rebbe’s approach.
