Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5995 — Grief & Loss

By the grace of Hashem*,

18 Teves* 5718,

Brooklyn, New York,

To all the participants at the annual banquet, in the United States, of the center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch, may Hashem* grant you long life,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

On the occasion of this banquet, which marks, this year, the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Yeshivah* Tomchei Temimim* at Lubavitch (note 1: In 1897, by the Rebbe Rashab) and the eighteenth anniversary of its transfer to America (note 2: In 1942, by the Frierdiker Rebbe), I wish to warmly greet the leaders, the guests of honor, the guests, and the participants, as well as all the friends of this Yeshivah*, wherever they may be, and wish them great success in their action for the benefit of the Yeshivah*, which will bring them great success also in their personal concerns.

This year, the banquet takes place during the week of the anniversary of the passing of the Alter Rebbe*, on the eve of 24 Teves*. He is the author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, the founder of the Chabad* movement that vivifies the Yeshivos* Lubavitch, their directors, their deans, their mashpi'im*, and their students. It is therefore timely to recall the well-known saying (note 3: See, on this subject, Letters no. 4354, 5069, and 5454) of the Alter Rebbe* according to which: "The material possessions of a Jew are spiritual. Hashem* gives us material possessions in order that we make them into spirituality."

The same relationship also exists between Zevulun* and Yissachar* — between those who devote themselves to the study of the Torah* and those who support them. The latter receive a share of the study of the former. Now, both appear in the name of the Yeshivah* Lubavitch — Tomchei Temimim* — those who support the wholehearted. The wholehearted are the students of this Yeshivah*, who devote themselves to the study of the Torah*. And those who support them do so physically and financially.

When a Jew receives material possessions from Hashem*, the fulfillment of his needs, and uses them for mitzvos* in general and for the study of Torah* in particular — which is considered the sum of all the mitzvos* — he will take from his possessions and give tzedakah* to Torah* institutions. Now, this tzedakah* is itself considered the sum of all the mitzvos* and, in this way, he will make his material possessions into spirituality.

Everything belonging to the domain of holiness must receive elevation, from one stage to the next, for this progress is a necessity. One must therefore make, from one's material possessions, ever more spirituality. In this way, the promise is fulfilled according to which: "Tithe in order to become wealthy" — and Hashem* grants material possessions in abundance, so that one may increase the spirituality. It is in this way that one achieves ascent, from one stage to the next, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Furthermore, one brings to the Yeshivah* the possibility of advancing itself more rapidly, of integrating an ever-growing number of students, of improving its material and spiritual situation in all domains.

I hope that all the friends of the Yeshivah* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch will be responsive to what has just been said. Those who have already made their contribution will increase it, and those who will make it in the spirit of the banquet will ensure that its amount be as generous as possible. Thus, all will obtain, for themselves and for the members of their families, the blessings of Hashem*, which will be ever-increasing, from one stage to the next, materially and spiritually.

With my respects and my blessing,

Menachem Schneerson,