Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1329 — Faith & Bitachon

I was glad to receive[1] your letter written at the conclusion of Shabbos Parshas Vayigash. For various reasons, my reply has been delayed until now.

When I find myself at the tziyun* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, I mention your name and the names of the members of your family, in particular those who are to marry. But you surely know it is said: "Hashem your Elokim will bless you in all that you do." One must therefore act[2].

And you know that Reb Zushe of Anipoli would underscore how much one can learn in avodas Hashem* from each person, including those whose conduct is not good. Thus he enumerates several lessons one can draw from the conduct of a thief[3]. One of them is the following:

When one does not succeed the first time, one must try a second, then a third time, until one succeeds. And "the side of good is more powerful"[4], especially when it concerns marriage. For Chazal* say that it is difficult[5]. One must therefore search again and again, but in the end it is certain that you will find good shidduchim*. And one must not be discouraged by considering all the efforts one must expend in this area.

I was gratified to learn from your letter that you make the kuntreisim*[6] available to the people you meet. Enclosed is the brochure[7] of Yud-Tes Kislev*, recently published.

May Hashem grant that you very soon convey good news to me on all that has been mentioned above.

With my blessing,

Notes
(1) This letter was written as a personalized addition to letter no. 1325.
(2) To find a good shidduch* for those of his children who were of marriageable age.
(3) See Hayom Yom, 3 Iyar: "It is possible to make use, in avodas Hashem in accordance with Torah, of all conduct, including that which is not good or is even bad, according to the various categories one may define and the names one may give them. Thus Reb Meshulam Zushe of Anipoli would cite various attitudes of avodas Hashem learned from a thief: 1. He is discreet. 2. He does not hesitate to put himself in danger. 3. He regards the most insignificant matter and the most important in the same way. 4. He spares no effort. 5. He possesses zerizus*. 6. He has bitachon*, is full of hope. 7. If he does not succeed the first time, he tries again, many more times."
(4) Than that of misfortune.
(5) For Hashem to match couples — as much as splitting the Yam Suf.
(6) Of teachings of the Frierdiker Rebbe sent to the recipient on the occasion of each festival.
(7) Recounting the imprisonment and release of the Alter Rebbe.

א'שכט

בנועם קבלתי מכתבו ממוצש"ק פ' ויגש, ומפני כמה סיבות נתעכב המענה עד עתה.

בעת היותי על הציון של כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע הנני מזכיר אותו ואת ב"ב שיחיו ובפרט לעניני שידוכים וזווגים, אבל בטח ידוע לו הכתוב וברכך ה"א בכל אשר תעשה, אשר צריך ג"כ לעשות, וידוע ג"כ מאמר הרה"צ ר' זוסיא מאניפאלי זצ"ל, אשר מכל אדם יש ללמוד ענינים בעבודת השי"ת ואפילו מאלו שאינם מתנהגים כדבעי, והוא למד מהנהגת גנב כמה דברים, ומהם שכאשר מנסה בפעם הראשונה ואינו מצליח, בכ"ז מנסה ג"כ פעם שני' ושלישית עד שסו"ס עולה בידו הדבר, ומרובה מדה טובה וכו' ובפרט בענין זווגים שרז"ל אמרו קשה וכו' שצריך לנסות פעם אחר פעם אבל סוכ"ס בטוח הדבר שימצאו זווגים הגונים, ואין לפחוד ממה שנזקקים להשתדלות בדבר.

נהניתי לקרות במכ' אשר מהנה הוא מהקונטרסים את אלו שנפגש עמהם, ומוסג"פ החוברת לי"ט כסלו שהו"ל זה לא כבר, ויה"ר אשר השי"ת יזכהו לבשר טוב מכל הנ"ל בקרוב ממש.

בברכה.

א'שכט
נכתבה כהוספה לאגרת א'שכה דלעיל.