The Nechoma Greisman Anthology

Section 1: SHLICHUS We are ready to go…

A Special Kind of Letter

There is a unique Chabad phenomenon called shlichus -- which translates as mission. There is the short-term shlichus -- a three-week period every summer when the Lubavitcher Yeshiva students spend their vacation traveling in pairs to cities all over the U.S. to try to spread knowledge of Torah and mitzvos to any Jew they can, however they can -- talking, distributing literature etc. And there is long-term shlichus: The young couples who voluntarily take on (and sometimes create) jobs such as Rabbis, teachers, youth leaders, where such are sorely needed, even in communities that are remote in place, as well as in spirit, and do not realize their need. They accept as a matter of course the separation from family and friends, the minimal salary, the struggle. The following is a letter from the eighteen-year-old Nechoma to a couple in her family starting out on a long-term shlichus. The names have been changed.

Dear Chaim and Esther, sheyichyu

I just heard that August 15th is L-Day (Leaving Lubavitch), and all of a sudden I felt that I must write you right away so I can write exactly how I feel now. First of all, the fact that you are leaving so soon made me feel very, how shall I put it, lonely? or some other emotion that I just can't put into words. I thought I would be able to say a real emotional goodbye with all the trimmings, but who knows...?

Also, I want to give over some parting words which really come from the heart, and I think it is easier to write them than to say them. You know I have a weakness (or a strength?) for "sayings" ... you know, quotations from a posuk, or Chazal, or plain chassidic vertlach, because many times they put things into a nutshell. Also it's easier to get encouragement from something that a great person said than from something you yourself feel, or think, or even know for sure. So I would like to present you with a few sayings that I particularly like and that helped me many times. You can also carry them around, and if they help you too, then I'm glad.

1. The Al-mighty does not come with a false charge to His creatures, chas v'shalom.
2. All beginnings are difficult.
3. Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
4. We are assured by a firm covenant that the vigorous dissemination [of Yiddishkeit] will never return empty-handed.
5. He who comes to purify is helped from Above.
6. Think good, and it will be good.
7. What passed, is no longer; what is in the future, is yet to be; deliverance from G-d comes like the blink of an eye; so why worry?

Secondly, I always did, and still do, admire Chaim immensely, and I have faith that together you will be a very complementary couple. Esther is known to be a very popular, lively and altogether warm personality, and Chaim, well, I don't want to swell your head, so I won't specify your assets (in my eyes), but I just know you'll both be great. "Chaim converting the men and Esther converting the women." Not quite, but you get the idea.

I hope you'll always be aware of the great privilege and responsibility you have and that you will be proud of it. Tell your kids how lucky they are to be gifted with an inborn advantage. Esther, I'm sure you'll be lonely very often (listen, facts are facts), but I know from experience that whoever meets you will love you and it will work out. If you ever run out of kosher tooth paste, tuna fish or other such trivia we'll send you a "care package," (bli neder). And always remember that I want to follow in your footsteps in a few years, so step strong and fast and straight.