February 7, 1944
Chaplain Abraham Goldberg1
Hq. Base Section # 3
A.P.O. 9232
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, California
Dear Chaplain Goldberg:
We trust that by this time you have already received the material which you requested.3 the cost is the following: for the set of Rav Shulchan Aruch — $7.50. for the five Sidurim — $1.25--$6.25. For the other Hassidic and educational material sent—$4.15 -- total $17.90. Mr. Feiglin, box 28, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia receives all our publications regularly. Hence, may I suggest that you contact him if you want to see all the publications of Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch regularly.
It4 is your sacred privilege and task to serve as spiritual guide and minister to the Jewish servicemen under your influence, both in respect to giving them the moral support they need in order to be strong and brave and confident of victory, as well as to encourage them in their faith and observance of our precepts to the utmost possible. We feel sure that you are succeeding well, with G-d’s help.
Our sacred and divine Torah recognized thousands of years ago that faith in G-d is a prerequisite to courage and confidence in victory. "And it shall be when you draw nigh unto battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people and shall say unto them, 'Hear o Israel, ye draw nigh this day unto battle against your enemies: Let not your heart be faint, fear not nor be alarmed, neither be you frightened of them: For it is G-d your G-d who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you! (Deut. 20:2-4). and (ibid 23: 10-15): When thou goest forth in camp against thine enemies, then thou shalt keep thee from every evil thing, for g-d thy g-d walketh in the midst of thy camp; therefore shall thy camp be holy".
The heart of every Jew is always awake and how much more so in such times of stress. It is your privilege to be the one to impress upon the Jewish serviceman our great spiritual heritage and religious obligations and we trust that he will set the full benefits of this opportunity, so that he may enjoy them later in peace and happiness.
With all good wishes for your success and complete victory of the United Nations5 and may we merit G-d’s gracious mercy and the complete redemption of our people Israel.
Very sincerely yours
Rabbi M. Schneerson
Chairman, Executive Committee
Notes and sources
The above letter is sourced from a secretarial carbon copy bearing archival markings in the Rebbe’s handwriting. The letter was sent on the stationery of Machane Israel.
1) For additional letters to Abraham Goldberg see Teshurah Goldberg-Lever (11 Elul, 5783) and what is noted there.
2) Army Post Office 923 = Base Section No. 3 was located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
3) It is well to note that in the Album Record of Attainments published by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch in 5708, there is an excerpt of a (undated) letter from Chaplain Goldberg that reads: “You are aware, I am sure, of my interest in your work. I appreciate the unselfish devotion to the cause of true religion your whole program stands for. I am writing you on behalf of the Jewish Community of Brisbane, Australia, which has contacted me for help in obtaining good Jewish textbooks.
“There are approximately 200 families in that city. There are two synagogues. I think they have someone who serves as a teacher, but they are without adequate textbooks. May I ask you to send, first of all, about forty copies monthly of “Talks & Tales.” Secondly, about ten copies of two or three grade textbooks for children up to 14 years of age.”
4) See also letter to chaplains, accessible here.
5) The Allied Forces.
Source: Secretarial Carbon Copy
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive