Editing Mihu Yehudi (section)

== Cessation of the Struggle ==
In a sicha from 24 Teves 5749, the Rebbe spoke about the role of shluchim regarding matters of Eretz Yisroel, which was understood at the time to refer mainly to the "Who is a Jew" issue. Among other things, the Rebbe said:

"Since recently there have been several confusions and attempts to drag the shluchim to act in various matters which are inherently good things, but should be done in Eretz Hakodesh and the like - this is the place to remind and emphasize that they should not engage in this, as it is not relevant to fulfilling their individual shlichus, each in their place, which should be their main focus...

Special emphasis regarding Yidden who are in chutz l'aretz, especially the shluchim - they need to know that they have a shlichus in the place where they are, and specifically because they are in chutz l'aretz - on the contrary, specifically in chutz l'aretz they need to do more regarding matters of Yiddishkeit.

Through this conduct, they will prevent from the outset the loss of much time that has already been lost due to discussions that are not relevant at all, as there is no place for involvement in matters of Eretz Hakodesh by those who are currently in chutz l'aretz, and especially since most do not plan to travel to Eretz Hakodesh, not even for a visit, and in any case - they do not intend to change their place of shlichus for an extended period and settle in Eretz Hakodesh. They should have mercy on themselves and request mercy from their surroundings not to interfere with fulfilling the shlichus of 'making a dwelling place for Him below.'

And most importantly, this request should be spread to every shliach and all shluchim including those in Eretz Hakodesh itself, as most have nothing to do with these discussions they are being dragged into - especially most of Am Yisroel who are in chutz l'aretz... They should immediately cease from discussions in anything not relevant to fulfilling the shlichus of each and every Jew in their place - spreading Yiddishkeit, and regarding Jews in the United States (where most Jews live and where we are), and to try as much as possible to increase in spreading Yiddishkeit - first and foremost in the United States, where they are located."

— Sicha of 24 Teves 5749

During that period, coalition negotiations were taking place between Agudas Yisroel and Mr. Yitzchak Shamir with Chabad rabbonim involved. When the sicha to the shluchim was published, some thought the Rebbe wanted them to completely stop acting on the issue and not make it a condition for joining Shamir's government, but the Rebbe rejected this and instructed Rabbi Yitzchok Yehuda Holtzman, secretary of the Committee for the Wholeness of the Nation, to continue demanding this.

In several holy responses written by the Rebbe in the period close to the sicha, the Rebbe expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions on the issue until now, particularly of the shluchim. In a response to Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht from 8 Teves 5749, the Rebbe wrote:

"To my astonishment (mixed with great pain), Chabad askanim and he among them - are giving their lives to make the impression everywhere possible that 'Who is a Jew' is a problem of extremist Orthodox, and they add explanation that they mean Lubavitch and not all of Lubavitch etc. The results they caused are understood. From my saying 'giyur k'halacha' - they blurred and then concealed that this is not my opinion but rather an announcement that everyone should look in a certain sefer (written 400 years ago) and copy for themselves what is written there. Anyone who emphasizes that a man sitting in Brooklyn says etc. - invites a sword in so-and-so's hand."

In a response to Rabbi Shmuel Menachem Mendel Butman from mid-Tammuz 5749, the Rebbe wrote:

# (Already published) This is what I said - not to enter into discussions on matters where the other side's intention is only to increase the fire of machloikes etc.
# And obviously regarding the shluchim - this is opposite to their manner of shlichus.
# If the other side says they only want to clarify the truth - send them references in Shulchan Aruch and the like.
# I already said (and it was published) - that practically it's not relevant at all - as this is about a law and conduct of 40 years in Eretz Hakodesh.
# But there are those who want to insert more machloikes into it.
# And whoever participates in these discussions - assists them.
# All the above is simple.
# And apparently it's time since then - that Chabad askanim should speak among themselves and there's no necessity to involve me in this.
# And it's urgent.

Similar content was written by the Rebbe in early Shevat 5749 in response to one of the shluchim in Montreal, Canada who reported on his activities regarding "Who is a Jew" and his public speeches about it:

"I spoke at length - Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Chabad askanim should gather to seriously discuss what and when to continue with all this. And great examination is needed as to what compels him in all this to immediately give speeches and the like, as this could be interpreted as the opinion of all Chabad!!"

On 26 Menachem Av 5750, the Rebbe wrote to the widow of the chairman of the Committee for the Wholeness of the Nation, R' Chaim Yehuda Feldi, about the committee's activities from this time forward:

"After the recent law regarding Who is a Jew - this is a law of the entire country and at its head the 'Chief Rabbinate', and from here on the aforementioned committee should publicize that from now on the committee's role is to stand guard that the above fulfill their obligations etc."

Some say that in that same year, Rabbi Aharon Dov Halperin received explicit instruction from the Rebbe to stop writing about the matter in the Kfar Chabad weekly magazine.