ב"הOctober 11, 1948
Mr. Julius Stulman,
171 West Street
Brooklyn, N.Y.
My dear Mr. Stulman:
I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter1 and to thank you for same in behalf of the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and in my own name. Your highly lauding references to the work of the M. L. Ch. by which you express your appreciation of same, give us great spiritual encouragement. At a time like this, when the difficulties and obstacles which we encounter in carrying out the program of the M. L. Ch. are so serious and on the increase, whilst the scope of the work must and does increase steadily with no possibility of curtailment except at the spiritual and physical loss by all those who are aided by it – a responsibility we cannot and dare not assume – your encouragement and aid is of the utmost importance.
Referring to the appropriate example in your letter, and dwelling upon it in some detail, may I add a few observations.
In normal times, the known sources of energy until the recent era are sufficient. Such energy as is derived through chemical reaction, as in the case of coal, for example, is derived from the superficial layers of the fuel. However, in exceptional times such as these, especially in the case of scientific war, or when we were faced with a ruthless foe such as the Hitler clique, the energy which was at our disposal was not sufficient; we required new sources of energy much greater and more potent than before. This energy can be found only in the nuclei of the elements, and it is released in colossal quantities through atomic fission.
The starters of this process, vis. neutral, deuteron, proton, alpha particles, gamma rays, etc., vary and are chosen for the appropriate circumstances.
In the attempt to release this energy, certain fundamental problems had to be overcome, upon the solution of which depended the success of atomic fission. Some of the most important of these problems were 1) Establishing a chain process of reactions, so that the nuclear fission be continuous. 2) Control. To prevent the reactions from getting into undesirable directions, and to direct them towards the desired goal (moderator is used, mostly graphite). 3) The expenses in material, time, and research should be repaid many times over in terms of the benefits gained, since the goal is to bring practical benefits to humanity.
The above observations may be applied by way of simile to the central idea expressed in your letter.
The human being who leads a life in accordance with the principles of the Torah of G-d the Omnipotent has a tremendous store of capacities. In normal times normal energy is sufficient. However, in the present time of the pre-Messianic era, especially after the terrible losses our people suffered which must be made good by the survivors, we must produce infinitely greater energy capacity, which is made possible only by the innermost depths of our heart and mind.
The activation of the innermost qualities of the heart must be made by various agents, depending upon the individual and circumstances, as in the case of the simile in nuclear fission. At the same time the three conditions mentioned above must be applied: 1) Chain process. The "bombardment" from outside is to come only from time to time, the inner reaction of the individual himself providing the stimulus for a considerable time. 2) The fine qualities so released must be controllable, so as not to turn in undesirable directions. 3) The energy invested in starting the chain reaction must be returned manyfold in the energy released.
In conclusion I want to thank you for the check in aid of the work of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch. I trust it is a beginning of a "chain process" of continuous and growing support with the fullest participation of your friends and associates, commensurate with the needs of the M. L. Ch. in these critical times.
Wishing you and yours a Gemar Chasimo Toivo for a very happy and successful New Year, and with kindest personal regards,
Very sincerely yours,
M. Schneerson
Notes and sources
The original draft of this letter in Hebrew, for the secretary to translate, is printed in Igros Kodesh, vol. 3, letter 406.
Mr. Julius (Yehudah) Stulman was a prominent American-born industrialist, thinker, and philanthropist. In the early 1940s, Stulman developed a deep personal connection with the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe, becoming one of the biggest financial supporters of Lubavitch institutions. For additional information regarding Mr. Stulman and his connection with the Rebbe, as well as a list of more than 70 letters addressed to him, see letter dated October 11, 1942.
1) Mr. Stulman's letter (September 30, 1948) reads:
Dear Rabbi Schneerson:
I can hardly let this holiday period pass without straining myself to do what I can for what you and your revered father-in-law so nobly stand for. You are constantly in my mind and exist as a positive, though silent monitor for me, and I am sure for many others, exemplifying the highest that man can attain to, almost like a silent electronic tube that in its mysterious way amplifies many fold the common neutron as it is bombarded by the grid and its power released in multiplied energy.
May your efforts be ever fruitful and may G-d bless your hand, for your works are involved in the noblest effort. We often wonder why good efforts don't easily grow, flourish and prosper in untold dimensions, but that is one of the mysteries of the organization of the energy of the human being, for somehow the Laws of Nature do not permit of the continuous, unchecked growth of any matter or effort in any direction, for if that were attained, it would not have its effect or be easily appreciated, for indeed the great wonders that are all about us and of which we are cognizant, we take foregranted and do not fully appreciate - the universe itself, the galaxy, the rhythm of all nature, and the simple processes of photosynthesis.
It seems that man has to earn through desire and will the increase from his dross to great power, from anode to cathode, the same as the neutron is amplified in power in that mysterious jump from one grid to the other. This cannot be done apparently on easy accomplishment, for it seems that the fruits of life, which is not necessarily life here as we manifest ourselves entirely, require much direction and organization of ourselves to bring about this great wealth and understanding and wisdom within us.
Please forgive me. I did not mean to go on this way, and more especially to you who know all this so much better than I ever will, but only to say to you thanks for being there, for mentoring and monitoring and exemplifying ultimates so constantly and so nobly as you do.
Wishing you and all your loved ones, all of Jewry and all of mankind G-d's most cherished blessings this ensuing year in all your efforts. May they be successfully accomplished to the full of G-d’s will, soon.
As ever,
P.S. I am enclosing herewith a check to Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch for $1500. Because of the check I did not want to hold this letter up, and therefore had it mailed without reading it (as I had to leave before it was typed) which I trust you will forgive me for.