Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4234 — Tzedakah

B"H

17 Nissan* 5716

Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I read with pleasure in your letter that you are earning a better livelihood. I hope that the words of the verse will be fulfilled for you: "Open your mouth and I will fill it." For your part, you will put into practice the teaching of the Alter Rebbe* (see note 1), according to which Hashem* grants Jews material goods so that they may transform them into spirituality.

Of course, it is necessary to renew the discussions among yourselves regarding matters of the fear of Hashem* and Chassidus*. You say that one must first demand of oneself (see note 2). You are certainly right, but in our era, one cannot postpone any sacred mission. One must therefore undertake both simultaneously — for oneself and for others — and not wait until one is personally perfect, as the Rebbe Rashab* explains, whose words are cited in Kuntres U'Maayan*, page 22.

Naturally, you may convey all of this to your friends, who will follow the same path, for these words are addressed to them as well.

With my blessing to share good news regarding all of this,

On behalf of the Rebbe Shlita*,

The secretary

(Notes in the original:

1. See, regarding this, Letter no. 3943.

2. Before demanding of others.)