Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3305 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H,

25 Shevat 5715,
Brooklyn, New York,

To the congregants, to the members of the congregation
Bnei Yitzchak*, of the rite of the Arizal*, and at their head,
the president and the officers,
may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

I learned with pleasure that a special Melaveh Malkah* will take place at the conclusion of this Shabbos* to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the appointment of your Rav — the great Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, of good conduct and manifold accomplishments, Rav Nissan Telushkin Shlita (see the preceding letter). I extend my wishes for success, that this celebration receive the grandeur befitting the occasion.

This celebration is particularly important, for it demonstrates that the members of the community know how to appreciate the Rav at his true value. It is an expression of the honor due to the Torah* and to the Rabbanim*. One must hope — and this is the most precious blessing — that this feeling of respect and love for the Torah and for those who represent it will penetrate the homes of the community members and those who pray there, and find expression on every positive occasion.

It is a Jewish custom to link the events of the week to the Sidra* then being read, in accordance with the saying of the Alter Rebbe*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, which has been related many times by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose merit protects us — that one must "live with the Parshah* of the week." And one can observe that this week's Parshah* — Parshas Mishpatim — presents various Mitzvos* (see Letter #1662) that seemingly do not justify the giving of the Torah, for the basic logic of every normally constituted person establishes that they should be adopted.

There is herein a teaching for all times and all places. The most evident principles, established by logic and rationality, can influence a person and protect him from the inclination of his heart — which "is evil from his youth" — only if they are based on the declaration "we will do and (then) we will understand," on the giving of the Torah, on faith and submission to Hashem, Master of all worlds, Who commands their fulfillment and to Whom obedience is due.

If one disregards this, one can by no means rely on human understanding and justice. Experience has proven that in the absence of faith and religious education, a person very often strays from the right path, acts contrary to justice, and sometimes even contrary to reason.

May Hashem grant that your synagogue benefit, for many long days and good years, from the guidance of your great Rav and spiritual leader, instilling faith and Torah* teaching among those who pray there and the community members, as it is said: "These are the judgments that you shall place before them" — for they are the good, both moral and physical, as well as that of the members of the family.

With my respects and my blessing,