By the Grace of G-d
20 Shevat 5740
Brooklyn, NY
Mr. David Tuvio Chase
96 Highbridge Rd.
W. Hartford, CT 06117
Greeting and Blessing:
This is my first opportunity to convey to you my pleasure at seeing you at the Farbrengen on the occasion of the Thirtieth Anniversary [10 Shevat, yahrzeit of the Previous Rebbe], and to have you join in a l’chayim [toast] at this auspicious occasion. May G-d grant that it truly be “for life and blessing” filled with fruitful activities in the spirit of the ba’al hahilulo [deceased], my father-in-law of saintly memory. Especially as you are one of the pillars of the institutions and programs founded by him and conducted in his spirit.
Moreover, you have to your credit also enormous accomplishments in getting involved other prominent individuals in these activities. Indeed, by Divine Providence you are in a position of influence with individuals and circles which may not be so easy to reach by others, and where your personal influence, coupled with a shining example, can be most effective.
Since we have also just observed Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, we are further inspired by the message that this day contained in the well-known analogy in the Torah, that “a man is like a tree in a field.” The function of a tree is to produce fruits, sustaining the seeds for further fruit-bearing trees.
May G-d grant that you should continue to go from strength to strength in all the above with joy and gladness of heart.
With esteem and blessing,
!
Greeting and Blessing:
You write that you have read and learned that a man has to seek G-d and you ask if it is not the case also that G-d should seek man.
You are quite right, and indeed G-d seeks out not only certain individuals but calls unto everyone through the agency of the Divine soul which animates every Jew.
But, inasmuch as the Soul is encased in a physical body, it sometimes happens that the Divine signals which are sent to the Divine soul are either not received at all or are received in distortion by the physical “static.” Nevertheless, the signals are there, and often remain buried in the subconscious, and form their impulses, thoughts, and stimuli to be admitted into the conscious state.
Modern science is increasingly recognizing the importance of the subconscious state of mind. Yet this has been recognized in our Torah and its commentaries for thousands of years. And, in the case of a receiver which can receive radio signals only if it is in good order and properly attuned and will not receive anything at all if the switch is off, so in the case of the body.
However, as far as the soul is concerned, which is part of G-d above, and always remains loyal to her Heavenly Father, it is always receptive, even though the impulses and stimuli are sometimes repressed and relegated to the subconscious.
That is why under certain propitious circumstances, the body and soul may suddenly become illuminated with the light of Torah and mitzvoth. That is why, also, an individual may suddenly experience an inner desire to return to G-d, and so on.
All this is discussed at great length in the teachings of Chassidus, which explains in this way the statement of our sages that “every day a heavenly voice comes forth calling: Return to Me, My errant children.”
Needless to say, although G-d constantly seeks man and calls to him, this does not minimize the necessity of man to seek G-d, as it is written, “and you shall seek G-d,” for unless man reciprocates and makes and effort on his part, the signals are likely to remain ineffective. And the way man can apprehend and respond to the Divine signals is by observing the Torah and mitzvoth in everyday life.
