Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3558 — Faith & Bitachon
Volume 11 · Letter 180
B"H
16 Sivan* 5715
Brooklyn, New York
Greetings and blessings,
You have surely received, in its time, my letter (see letter no. 3503) emphasizing the absolute necessity of forming a united front of all the religious parties for the elections in Israel.
I have good hope that you will take advantage of the last remaining hours to realize this project. With the proper determination, you will surely find the means to overcome all the difficulties in this matter.
With my blessing,
M. S. of Lubavitch (Menachem Schneerson of Lubavitch)
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B"H
16 Sivan* 5715
Brooklyn
Greetings and blessings,
I received with pleasure your letter from the Sunday of Parshas Behaalosecha*, which followed a long silence. Certainly, you should have been more joyful, whereas you complain that your debts have increased by a few hundred dollars. I deduce from this that your state of health is good and that everything else is well.
Now, a debt is only temporary, for a short period. There is therefore no reason to lose one's joy on account of it. Moreover, you had a reason to rejoice, since your daughter and her husband celebrated the Pidyon HaBen* of their son.
Nevertheless, I am not truly surprised that you worry so much about a debt of a few hundred dollars. The reason is as follows: you do not participate often enough in Chassidic* farbrengens*, which refresh the divine soul and enable one to rise above daily existence. Even if the effect of these farbrengens* is only temporary, it is felt deeply for much longer and manifests on various occasions.
Concerning the debt itself, our Sages* give the following advice: "Salt diminishes material means" — which means that when one lacks money, one must give more tzedakah*. This is how one earns a more ample livelihood, for Hashem has given the assurance that "you shall tithe in order to become wealthy."
One cannot always ask Hashem to grant His trust and give material prosperity, so that man may then overcome the test. One can also proceed in reverse — first give a greater amount to tzedakah*, being certain that Hashem will keep His word.
May Hashem grant you the success of giving much tzedakah* with a joyful heart, of reciting Tehillim* scrupulously each day after the prayer according to their monthly division, and of participating in public Torah* classes. This will hasten the good news you will be able to announce in all these domains.
With my blessing,