Unfounded rumors of my views concerning a future international crisis; The significance of the Shofar; Local youth movements
By the Grace of G-d
28th of Tishrei, 5722
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. . . .
Greeting and Blessing:
After the interval, I received your letter of the 22nd of Elul, in which you write that you heard a rumor about my views concerning a future international crisis, etc.
Needless to say, it is not my custom to make forecasts regarding future events. Jews are commanded in the Torah: “You shall be wholehearted with G-d, your G-d.”
This means that we should whole-heartedly put our faith in G-d, following His commandments without question or speculation, and enjoy a complete sense of security in the faith and conviction that G-d’s benevolent Providence extends to every one individually.
With regard to the question of the meaning and significances of the sounding of the shofar, it is well known that all matters of the Torah and Mitzvoth are infinite, having their source in The Infinite. Whatever reasons or lessons may be attached to a Mitzvah, it should be remembered that they do not exhaust the full meaning and content of a particular Mitzvah. Some of the reasons and teachings of the shofar are mentioned in the Rambam, Hilchoth Teshuvah, also in Sefer Hachinuch, and various other books of Mussar, Chasidus, etc.
On the question of youth movements which you mention in your letter, and what can be done in this field, the answer depends, of course, on local conditions, and it is difficult to give specific advice from the distance. Therefore, I can only suggest that you should consult with those who are already active in this field, namely, the Tzeirei Agudas Chabad and Anash in London.
With blessing,
By Nissan Mindel
I trust you will find the enclosed copy of my recent message interesting and useful.
