Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1808 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

1 Elul 5712,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I received your letter written on the day during which, twice, the word "good" was said at the creation[1]. You speak of yourself and of your wife. You ask for advice and solicit a brachah*.

When I go to the tziyun* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, I will mention your two names, so that Hashem grant you good health, material expansiveness, and that He soon rejoice your hearts in granting you a child.

In order to receive the brachos* of Hashem, one must dispose of appropriate receptacles, which belong to Torah and mitzvos. The Rav, distinguished chassid who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Ben Tzion Shemtov, emissary of the Sages[2], specified to me that you have adopted a good conduct, and I was satisfied with this.

I would therefore like to repeat to you once again that you must give, every morning, a few pennies to tzedakah. Your wife will also give tzedakah every time she lights the candles, on erev Shabbos and the festivals. You will also transmit to her that she must strengthen her bitachon* in Hashem, Who created so great a world and directs it. Without doubt, His hashgachah pratis* protects each of you, permits you to improve.

Your wife must rely on the Torah and the Shulchan Aruch. She must not adopt a position more rigorous or more lenient than that which is defined therein. A conduct strictly conforming to the Shulchan Aruch is a good receptacle to contain the brachos* of Hashem, in all the needs that one experiences.

You must also assure yourself that the mezuzos of your home be kosher, particularly in Elul, the month of mercy. Each of you, or you and your wife, must speak, for a few minutes, of the necessity of relying on Hashem.

I hope that, very soon, you will be able to announce to me good news. You will tell me that you and your wife are well, that you have strengthened your bitachon* in Hashem and that you observe His Providence, the manner in which He directs you, for the good, materially and spiritually.

Wishing you to be inscribed and sealed for a good year, in expectation of your good news,

[1] Tuesday.
[2] In London.