By the Grace of G-d Chanukah, 5722 Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. Jacob Hanoke
Greeting and Blessing:
To save myself repetition, I am enclosing a copy of a letter1 which I trust you will find of personal interest.
I would like to add that in your case, in view of your efforts to use your good influence with your colleagues, you will surely have added assistance from On High. According to my information, you are in a position to exercise considerable influence on your friends, who would follow your good example, and you thus have the opportunity to save so many individuals. If it has been said, "He who saves one person saves a whole world,"2 you have the Zechus to save many worlds.
From my own impressions of you, I know you are not a person to be discouraged by obstacles. It is only that "all beginnings are difficult,"3 and it is necessary to make the first leap, in order to land on the path of the truth, and then the going becomes much easier with every step.
Wishing you a happy and inspiring Chanukah,
With blessing,
By Nissan Mindel
Notes and sources
Dr. Yaakov (Jack) Hanoka (1936–2011) was a graduate student in physics at Pennsylvania State University when, in the beginning of 5722 (1961), he encountered Lubavitcher bochurim at a campus Shabbaton. Deeply moved, he soon traveled to Crown Heights and entered his first yechidus with the Rebbe shortly before Chanukah of that year. Though he did not yet know even the Aleph-Beis, the Rebbe encouraged him to come learn in 770, guiding him personally and describing him as a “pioneer” who would influence many others.
After a year in yeshiva, the Rebbe directed him to complete his doctorate, explaining that he would accomplish more for Yiddishkeit “with three initials” after his name. Dr. Hanoka went on to earn his Ph.D., become a pioneering solar-energy scientist holding over fifty patents, and play a central role in founding the early “Encounter with Chabad” (Pegisha) programs for college students, remaining devoted throughout his life to spreading Torah among academics and professionals.
For additional English letters addressed to him, see letters dated 20 Adar II 5722, 5 Cheshvan 5724, 15 Kislev 5724, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5724, and 28 Teves 5727.
For more on his life and his connection to the Rebbe, see The First of Thousands in A Chassidher Derher, issue 48, pp. 38 ff.; Tribute to Dr. Hanoka, accessible at chabad.org/1517629.
1) Letter dated Chanuka, 5722.
2) Sanhedrin 37a.
3) See Mechilta on Shemos 19:5.
Source: Photocopy of original
Published: Teshura, (Hanoke-Junik, 15 Shevat, 5780).
To Save A World, To Save Worlds!
Source & Link: תשורה 5776: Alternative Source: תשורה 5780-05-15 חנוכה-יוניק https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jP67lgUKS9TP-WeIBeY5fJop141WdagG/view?usp=sharing