Igrot Kodesh · Letter 2131 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

15 Sivan 5713,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem,

Rav Mendel[1],

I greet you and bless you,

I had news of you with pleasure through the great Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Shlomo Zalman Hecht[2]. He conveyed to me your greetings, which were truly chassidic, that is, imbued not only with ahavas Yisrael*, since all Yidden* have collective responsibility, but also with ahavas haTorah* and ahavas Hashem*.

Rav Hecht described to me your situation in general. He also tells me that you have taken, of your own volition, a good decision regarding an important undertaking that brings together the three important concepts previously cited: ahavas Yisrael*, ahavas haTorah*, and ahavas Hashem*.

Indeed, you have decided to give a certain amount to a school of the Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak Lubavitch network, bearing the name of my father-in-law the Rebbe, may his merit shield us. In general, when one comes to the aid of another Jew, in any manner whatsoever, one experiences ahavas Yisrael*. If one allows him to study Torah, this is also an act of ahavas haTorah*. Finally, if it is a matter of giving children a chinuch* filled with yiras Shamayim*, this is also an act of ahavas Hashem*.

In accordance with the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov*[3], repeated many times by my father-in-law the Rebbe, these three forms of love — ahavas Yisrael*, ahavas haTorah*, and ahavas Hashem* — form one and the same entity.

The great Rav Hecht also told me what sum you intend to give now, given the limits you experience. I hope that the good action that this gift constitutes will allow you to witness the fulfillment of the promise of our Sages, according to which "aser tisaser, take a tithe in order to become wealthy"[4]. Subsequently, when Hashem grants you abundance, you will be able to increase this sum, in accordance with the needs, without this imposing on you restrictions, not only moral but also physical.

May Hashem grant you long days and good years, during which you will be able to give tzedakah* to others, in particular to children, by supporting a school that disseminates yiras Shamayim*. Likewise, you will give tzedakah* to yourself, above all to your body and to your nefesh habahamis*, which are the true poor. For this, you will intensify your study of Torah in general, and of Chassidus* in particular.

May Hashem grant you success and that you do all this in good health. May we have good news, material and spiritual, of one another.

With my brachah*,

Notes

[1] Rav M. Einbund.

[2] Of Chicago. See concerning him letters no. 1910, 1914, 1916, 1959, and 2045.

[3] See on this subject letter no. 1605.

[4] Aser, take a tithe, is of the same etymology as ashir, wealthy.