Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1353 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,
17 Teves 5712,
Brooklyn,

To Mr. Meir Fidelis,

Greetings and blessings,

I have received your regards through the rav*, distinguished chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Shneur Zalman Taubel[1], who tells me that he knows you and that you go to see him from time to time.

I am convinced that you make full use of the positive influence you exert on your friends. Know that Hashem does not remain in debt, and when He sees that one does good to a Yid* — whether near or far, whether physically or morally — He multiplies His brachah* many times for the one who has done this good.

I am sure that the chassid Rav Shneur Zalman Taubel has spoken to you about the 19th of Kislev. I am enclosing nevertheless a brochure explaining the meaning of this yom tov*[2]. I am convinced that you will not keep it for yourself, but will likewise make it known to those close to you, so that they too may know the "yom tov of yomim tovim" that is the 19th of Kislev.

I hope to receive good news from you, materially and spiritually, and I conclude by extending to you my brachah.

I await good news of your settlement.

You may also write to me in French.

Notes
(1) Who was at the time in Marseille. See letter no. 1348.
(2) And recounting the history. See the letters of Kislev.

———

1353*

By the grace of Hashem,
18 Teves 5712,
Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I have duly received your letter, requesting a brachah so that your daughter and son-in-law may have a child. I will read it when I find myself near the tziyun* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe.

At the end of your letter, you write: "I will give a large sum to the Lubavitcher Yeshiva when they have a child." This statement does not suit me. Why do you wish to impose conditions on Hashem? Certainly, Chazal* say that "one who gives a coin to tzedakah*[3]... is a complete tzaddik*[4]." Yet Chazal do not say that one may set a condition that one will put into practice only after the request has been fulfilled.

You will well understand that when one asks something, only HaKadosh Baruch Hu* can give an assurance. One can have absolute trust in Him, for He can do all things.

I would like to know how much time you devote to the study of nigleh* and of Chassidus*. No doubt you read Tehillim* each day.

With my brachah,

Notes
(3) For the recovery of his son.
(4) Although his act is not disinterested. Nevertheless, the tzedakah, in such a case, is indeed given before the recovery of the son.

א'שנג*

ב"ה, י"ח טבת, תשי"ב
ברוקלין.

שלום וברכה!

קבלתי מכתבו פ"נ בעד בתו וחתנו, להפקד בזש"ק, וכשאהי' על הציון הק' של כ"ק מו"[ח] אדמו"ר זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע, אקראהו.

כותב בסיום מכתבו, "ואני אפזר אי"ה הרבה כסף עבור ישיבת תומכי תמימים דליובאוויטש כשיפקדנו", הנה לא ישר בעיני כתבו זה, כי למה לו להכנס בתנאים עם הקב"ה, וידוע מרז"ל הנותן סלע לצדקה בשביל כו', ה"ז צדיק גמור, אבל בכ"ז לא נמצא בדבריהם תנאי שיתנו לאחר שתתמלא הבקשה, ובודאי גם מעצמו מבין שכשיש שאלה, מי הוא הבטוח יותר, הרי בודאי הקב"ה הוא הנאמן בתכלית וג"כ הכל יכול.

אתענין לדעת מהקביעות עתים שלו בתורת הנגלה ותורת החסידות, ובטח זהיר ג"כ באמירת תהלים בכל יום.

בברכה.