Aguch Letter to Anash, Shluchim

B”H

Erev Shabbos Kodesh, “The voice is the voice of Yaakov, etc.” (Bereishis, 27:22 ), Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5769 (Nov. 28, 2008)

To our dear brethren, each and every member of Anash,
Temimim and Shluchim, soldiers in the Rebbe’s holy Army

Greetings and Blessings!

What can we say! “It is a moment of affliction for Yaakov” (Yirmiahu, 30:7) and we stand humbled and heartbroken by the great tragedy that has befallen all of us, having our holy brother and sister, hatomim Gavriel Noach and Rivkah Holtzberg, hy”d, taken from us in such a brutal way, their souls ascending to heaven in a fiery chariot while fulfilling their holy mission.

Our deepest expression of condolence to the dear parents and our most heartfelt prayers to our merciful father in heaven who heals the brokenhearted, that He heal their pain through realizing the promise of “they will rise and rejoice…” (Yeshayahu, 26:19) in the immediate future.

The clear guidance that the Rebbe has given in cases such as this is that we dare not attempt to understand and explain the ways of G-d, because they are hidden, and therefore our response is “and Aharon was silent” (Vayikra, 10:3).

The Rebbe also taught us that we dare not stumble and succumb to fear and discouragement, but rather to be strong and respond to the challenge that we, all of us, are faced with at this moment.

As a result of this massacre and the events leading up to it, many millions the world over were exposed to the Rebbe’s army in an unprecedented way. We have the responsibility to continue to strengthen their contact even more to the Tree of Life.

Agudas Chasidei Chabad was charged by the Rebbe to be the “address” to turn to in times of need. In our next letter, G-d willing, we will share more details.

The call of the hour is to unite all together and strengthen one another.

With tearful prayers, confident in the fulfillment of the Rebbe’s promise that we will succeed in fulfilling our mission to bring the world to the days of Mashiach and the true and complete redemption.

Agudas Chasidei Chabad

Avrohom I. Shemtov, Chairman