Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1100 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

14 Tammuz 5711,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I received, through the distinguished chassid who fears Hashem, Mr. ..., your contribution of five dollars. I have transmitted it to the fund for discreet acts (matan baseser*), a fund which finances the needs of individuals and institutions without any public mention.

Your merit in participating in such a form of tzedakah* is considerable, and I hope that this discreet gift will help the person for whose merit it was given, so that she will feel better and be in good health.

The Gemara* tells us that one who prays for his fellow to receive that which he himself needs is answered first[1]. In our present time, generally speaking, each person experiences the lack of some particular thing. I therefore express the wish that Hashem fulfill your need, that your home become a true Jewish home, filled with Torah and mitzvos*. I would be happy if you would write to me and tell me how things stand.

From what I understand, you are now attending the shul* more regularly. I therefore propose that you adopt — without making it a vow (bli neder*) — the practice instituted by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of reading Tehillim* every morning after the prayer, according to its monthly division. I also advise you to accustom yourself to giving tzedakah every day, before the prayers of Shacharis* and Mincha*. The amount does not matter; it suffices to do it regularly and systematically, each time you begin to pray.

The sidra* which we read this past Shabbos begins with the verse: "This is the chukas* of the Torah"[2]. Chassidus* underscores that the word chukas, decree, is of the same etymology as chakikah*, engraving. Engraving is very different from writing. When one writes, one takes ink and parchment, which are two distinct elements, and one joins them. By contrast, when one engraves letters into stone, the letters are an integral part of the stone itself.

It is the same with the study of Torah and the performance of mitzvos. In fulfilling them, one must "engrave," forming one and the same entity with them. It is in this connection that the Torah tells us: "If you walk in My chukos* (Bechukosai*, also from the same root as chakikah, engraving), I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall give its produce"[3].

I hope to hear good news from you, and I conclude by extending my blessing,