Before the Holocaust: The Bobov Rebbe's Timeless Letter of Faith

In 1939, in the Polish town of Bobov, Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam, z"l, sat down to write a deeply personal letter to one of his students, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Berger, z"l. Neither man knew what the coming years would bring. Both would ultimately perish in the Holocaust, but the words the Bobov Rebbe penned before that darkest chapter of Jewish history continue to inspire readers with their timeless message of faith, trust, and resilience.

Responding to a student overwhelmed by worries about earning a livelihood, the Rebbe offered wisdom that feels remarkably relevant today. In an age marked by financial uncertainty, endless comparison, and constant anxiety, his guidance reminds us that while effort is our responsibility, worry is not.

A Teacher Who Saw the Pain Between the Lines

The Rebbe begins his letter with extraordinary sensitivity:

"I received your letter, and I read more between its lines than what you wrote. I saw that your soul was dripping with sorrow and that you are filled with worries about the future... I cannot pass over your words in silence, and I will rebuke you with open rebuke and hidden love."

Before offering advice, the Rebbe first acknowledges his student's pain. He does not dismiss his fears or tell him to simply stop worrying. Instead, he lets him know that he understands the depth of his struggle, even the emotions left unspoken.

Only after expressing that empathy does he gently guide his student toward a different perspective:

"Do not let your thoughts alarm you at all. Simply place your trust in Hashem, who feeds and sustains all and prepares food for all His creatures."

His message is not an invitation to ignore reality or pretend life's challenges do not exist. Rather, it is a reminder that while we must face reality, we should not allow fear to become the force that governs our lives. Trust in Hashem does not replace action. It gives our actions confidence, purpose, and peace of mind.

Make Every Effort, But Leave Worry Behind

One of the most powerful ideas in the letter is the clear distinction between productive effort and destructive anxiety.

The Rebbe writes:

"Although an iron yoke was placed upon a person to bring food into his home, as it is written, 'And He will bless you in all that you do,' this refers only to action and effort—not to sighing and worrying, which accomplish nothing. If a person worries all day and all night, he will not create even one small slice of bread."

The Torah requires a person to work honestly and responsibly. Making a livelihood demands initiative and effort. But anxiety itself adds nothing to a person's success. Instead, the Rebbe explains, it clouds the mind, weakens the heart, and makes it harder to know what steps to take.

His words ring especially true in today's world. Many people carry work related stress long after the workday ends. They lie awake worrying about bills, careers, or an uncertain future, only to discover that anxiety solves nothing while draining the emotional strength needed to face tomorrow.

Work Can Be an Act of Serving Hashem

The Rebbe then offers an inspiring perspective that transforms the way we view everyday work.

He writes:

"When it arose in His simple will to place the burden of livelihood upon a person, His servants who fulfill His will must engage diligently in commerce and acquisition, and it is regarded for them like all sacred service... But who gave you permission to worry and grieve?"

Earning a living honestly is not merely a practical necessity. It can become an act of serving Hashem. When a person works with integrity, diligence, and the desire to fulfill the Creator's will, even ordinary work takes on spiritual significance.

Then comes one of the letter's most memorable questions:

"But who gave you permission to worry and grieve?"

The Rebbe is not criticizing his student. Rather, he is inviting him to reflect. Once we have done everything reasonably within our power, does endless worry accomplish anything? Or does it simply rob us of our faith, our peace, and our ability to continue moving forward?

Don't Measure Your Life Against Someone Else's

The student had also written about friends who seemed to be thriving financially while he continued to struggle.

The Rebbe answered with timeless wisdom:

"Let your heart not envy sinners... A person sees only what is before his eyes and does not know what is hidden within his fellow."

How often do we assume that other people's lives are easier than our own? Today, social media only magnifies that temptation. We see carefully chosen moments of success, happiness, and abundance while remaining unaware of the private struggles, disappointments, and worries that every person carries.

The Rebbe goes even further:

"And who knows whether they are not envious of you?"

The person who appears wealthy may envy someone else's family, faith, inner peace, or purpose. Everyone sees only what is visible, never the full story.

Before concluding, the Rebbe reminds his student of the blessings he already possesses:

"You have... reason to take pride... in your labor in the holy Torah and in mussar books... and one hour is more beautiful... than all their wealth and possessions."

Material success has its place, but it is not life's greatest treasure. Torah, faith, good character, and closeness to Hashem are riches that no financial circumstances can take away.

The Bobov Rebbe wrote these words in 1939, unaware of the unimaginable tragedy that lay just ahead. Perhaps that is precisely what gives his message such enduring power. Even amid uncertainty, he encouraged his student to work diligently, trust in Hashem, and refuse to surrender to fear.

His guidance remains just as meaningful today. We cannot control every challenge that comes our way, but we can choose not to let anxiety define us. We are called to do our part with honesty and determination, while remembering that worry cannot provide even "one small slice of bread." Faith, however, can give us the strength to face each day with hope, courage, and confidence.