Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5833 — Chinuch

B"H

9 Marcheshvan* 5718

Brooklyn

To the partners of the factory "Independent Teenwear Company," may Hashem grant you long life,

Greetings and blessings,

I received, in its time, your request for a blessing for the success of your business affairs. I therefore make the following proposal. As we discussed when we met, you must choose the Creator as a partner by deciding, with all your heart, to consecrate between ten and twenty percent of your earnings to tzedakah*. In a business, each partner endeavors to do what is in his power so that the enterprise be fruitful. Hashem, as your Partner, will therefore grant you His blessing and success in all that has been said.

Of course, it is necessary for this that the vessel be pure, in accordance with the teachings of our holy Torah* — not only through the observance of Shabbos* and the festivals, but also through that of the eve of Shabbos* and the festivals, as well as by avoiding the slightest form of unfair competition. Certainly, there is every reason to believe that the descendants of Avraham*, Yitzchak*, and Yaakov* put into practice the Divine injunctions. What has been said therefore has no other purpose than to counsel eagerness, to emphasize the importance and the necessity of an addition on your part, which will also broaden the blessings of Hashem. Moreover, these will be revealed as quickly as possible, very soon, well beyond what you expect in the ordinary way.

Awaiting your good tidings,

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B"H

9 Marcheshvan* 5718

Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter of 2 Marcheshvan*, in which you mention your debts that have accumulated over recent years. For the time being, you do not know how to repay them and you are therefore considering going abroad for several years, in order to earn enough to cover your current expenses and pay off your debts.

Now, this will entail travel expenses, round trip, which are not insignificant. Furthermore, a move from one place to another is also costly. Moreover, it is not absolutely certain that, in the country to which you travel, you will earn enough to cover your expenses and pay your debts, for no one can guarantee that this will be the case over a year or two. It is also necessary that no changes intervene in the conditions, and there are still other doubts. You must also take into account the difficulties of adapting to a new place, particularly for the younger children.

For all these reasons, this proposal does not suit me. You must seek to earn your livelihood on the spot, in addition to your current functions. You have observed the kindnesses of Hashem — in marrying, in having children, in finding housing. And you recall how despairing you were in all these areas, Heaven forbid. I therefore have good hope that in this matter as well, the future will be better than what you imagine, if you devote yourself more seriously and sincerely to the channel and the vessel that satisfies your needs and those of the members of your family.

I send you my blessing so that you convey good tidings of all this. And everything follows the conclusion: you will do what is in your power to redouble your ardor in your sacred mission, and as a consequence, you will also give me good tidings of what concerns you personally.