By the Grace of G-d 20th of Kislev, 5745 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am in receipt of your letter, which came as somewhat of a surprise to me, since it is well known that the various Chabad institutions are financially completely independent of our central office. This is also an obvious necessity, in view of the fact that there are hundreds of such institutions the world over, and it would be impossible to direct them all from headquarters.

In light of the above, you will surely understand that I cannot do anything in the said situation.

I must make special reference to your remark about your personal feeling that there is “no further use for me,” etc. Needless to say, there is no room or justification for such a feeling, G-d forbid, for this would be counter to one of the basics of Yiddishkeit in general, and of Chabad in particular, which declares that every Jew is like a complete world, as the Founder of Chabad emphasizes especially in Ch. 32 (lev — “heart”) of Tanya, whose Geulo Anniversary we observed yesterday.

As we will soon celebrate the bright festival of Chanukah by lighting the Chanukah Lights in increasing numbers from day to day, may Hashem grant that these should be a growing measure of brightness in all your affairs, and that Hashem should increase His blessings to you and all yours both materially and spiritually.

With prayerful wishes for a bright and inspiring Chanukah, and always,

With blessing,

M. Schneerson