The Rebbe’s Opinion On: Adding or Subtracting from the Kosel
Chabadinfo, in collaboration with Beis Moshiach Magazine, presents: The Rebbe’s Opinion On, a series featuring the Rebbe’s opinion and directive on various subjects. • Recent controversy erupted after stones from the Kosel were placed in museums. Rabbonim requested to return these stones of the outer wall of the Mikdash, which possess special kedusha, to the place they were found in. The following letter of the Rebbe, while not exactly on this question, certainly adds perspective to understanding the holiness of the Kosel and its stones. • Full Article
A recent controversy in Eretz Yisrael has erupted surrounding stones from the Kosel that had fallen, presumably at the time of the churban and recently unearthed. Some of these stones have been placed in museum displays in various locations. Rabbonim have requested the government agencies in Israel to return these stones of the outer wall of the Mikdash, which possess special kedusha, to the place they were found in.
The following letter of the Rebbe, while not exactly on this question, certainly adds perspective to understanding the holiness of the kosel and its stones.
I am in receipt of your letter. I appreciate very much the sentiments expressed therein in connection with the passing of Rabbi Isaac Schneersohn. [This refers to R’ Yitzchok Schneersohn from Paris, France, a third cousin, once removed of the Rebbe – Ed.]
I was particularly impressed to see that you have taken note to the review of the recently published comprehensive biography of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad, authored by our Dr. Nissan Mindel. From this I draw the gratifying inference that you follow the Lubavitch activities as reflected in the press.
In this connection I requested the office to send you a complementary copy to this volume, as I think you will be interested to read it. And although the book deals with the founder of a movement which began about two centuries ago, it is interesting to see how timely its principles and doctrines are also in our day and age.
With blessing,
/sign./
P.S. In reply to your writing about your desire to place a small carved stone into the Western Wall, my view is as follows:
No doubt you know that each and every word and letter in the Torah is significant. Even in an ordinary book, written by a human author, one does not expect repetition; how much more so in the Divine Torah. Yet, although words are used in the Torah sparingly, we find certain matters repeated which, obviously, indicate their special importance.
One such matter is the injunction neither to add nor detract from the words and commandments of the Torah. This is repeated twice (Deut. 4:2; 13:1). Significant is also the order, namely, (1) not to add and (2) not to detract. For at first glance the transgression would seem much more serious if it involved detraction rather than an addition, and logically the order in the said admonition should have been reversed. Consequently our Commentators explain this as follows: there is a smaller chance for anyone who knows and appreciates holiness to detract from anything holy.
On the other hand, because of a strong feeling for holiness a person may wish to add something to it.
If the question be asked, what is wrong with that?
The same Commentators explain that everything of Divine origin is very exact and must not be tampered with, not only in a way that would diminish it, but also in a way that would add to it, since it would take it out of a specific Divine dimension. To use a simple illustration, it would be like “gilding the lily,” in an effort to make it look even more beautiful than G-d created it. And because a person may be moved by his natural desire to “add,” the injunction not to do so comes first.
From the above my position in the specific question which you raised will become obvious.
The Wall has a sanctity of its own, which has been preserved for thousands of years, serving as a most sacred place for Jews to pray there.
Consequently, it is quite understandable that it must not be diminished in any way. By the same token, however, and out to the same sense of piety and appreciation of the holy, nothing should be added to it.
An artist, who is usually particularly sensitive, will easily appreciate the above. I am sure there is no need to elaborate further.
The Letter and the Spirit, Vol 5, p. 397
Note: Letters printed in “The Letters and the Spirit” are drafts from the archives of the Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Nissan Mindel A”H, and they may have been redacted by the Rebbe in varying levels before being sent to the correspondent.
***
Beis Moshiach magazine can be obtained in stores around Crown Heights. To purchase a subscription, please go to: bmoshiach.org
66
Join ChabadInfo's News Roundup and alerts for the HOTTEST Chabad news and updates!
Related Posts:
Most Popular
New Videos
Editor's Picks
