Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6001 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem*,

21 Teves* 5718,

Brooklyn, New York,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

I learned with pleasure, from your parents, in what manner you study our holy Torah*, Torah of life. Indeed, Torah* is of the same etymology as Hora'ah*, teaching, for it delivers a teaching for life in this world. I have good hope that in you the word of our Sages* will be fulfilled, according to which: "Great is study that leads to action."

Knowing your parents and your family origin, on your father's side as on your mother's, I know that the merit of your ancestors comes to your aid and that everything depends only upon your will. I hope that you will strengthen your study of the Torah*, with energy and ardor. This has always been important and is all the more so in this period of numerous events and diverse developments. It is then even more important to base one's life on solid and strong foundations that will withstand all changes and all trials.

These foundations are the Torah* and the mitzvos*, put into practice on a daily basis. It is only through them that the Jewish people has endured for millennia, despite the attacks and the wanderings. They protected our ancestors and continue to protect us, as is recognized by anyone with knowledge of the history of our people. Language, country, any other value, did not ensure our continuity through all the generations. Only our holy Torah* and its mitzvos* have done so — they who are our life and the length of our days, at all times, in all places, and under all conditions.

I would like to hear directly from you, with news of your progress in these domains. You will tell me that you are advancing in your study and that you are achieving success.

With my blessing,

By the grace of Hashem*,

14 Kislev* 5719,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the directors of the Merkaz L'Inyonei Chinuch*, Detroit chapter, may Hashem* grant you long life,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

I have learned, with pleasure, of the first Chassidishe farbrengen* that you are organizing for the approaching luminous day of 19 Kislev*. I send you herewith my blessing, that you may achieve success — constant success in the work you carry out for education based on sacred values. In this case, true and constant success is linked to the spread of authentic Yiddishkeit*, of the Torah* of Hashem* and His mitzvos*, on a daily basis, reaching ever-wider circles.

One confers merit upon a fruitful day — in this case, that of the liberation of 19 Kislev*. The Chassidishe farbrengen* on this day will therefore strengthen the work carried out by your chapter, with great eagerness, vitality, and light. This addition will inspire another, much greater one, in everything pertaining to proper education, throughout the entire year. The account of the festival of the liberation is well known among the Children of Israel. It is celebrated every year and, this time, for the one hundred and sixtieth time. This observation must remind each and every one of us, and underscore the necessity, particularly in our era, of serving Hashem* through the study of His Torah* — its revealed part and its profound teaching, Chassidus*. This study unites all the parts of the soul, revealed and hidden. Likewise, one will fulfill His mitzvos* with vitality and enthusiasm.

This approach is based on the love of Hashem*, the love of Torah*, and the love of every Jew — which form a single entity, as explained at length in the teaching of the Alter Rebbe*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch* — a teaching whose validity was established, before all, on 19 Kislev*. With my blessing for each and every one of the participants in this gathering, for each and every one of those who take part in your sacred mission, linked to education based on sacred values,

ו'א

ב"ה, כ"א טבת, תשי"ח
ברוקלין, נ.י.

שלום וברכה!

בנועם שמעתי מהוריך שיחיו ע"ד לימודיך בתורתנו הק', תורת-חיים, תורה מלשון הוראה, שהיא הוראה בחיים בעולם הזה, בחיי יום-יום, ותקותי שגם אצלך יקויים מאמר חכמינו ז"ל גדול תלמוד שמביא לידי מעשה.

ובהכירי את הוריך שיחיו ובידעי גזע מחצבתך, הן מצד אביך והן מצד אמך, הרי גם זכות אבותיך מסייעתך, ואין הדבר תלוי אלא ברצונך, ותקותי שתוסיף בלמוד התורה בהתמדה ושקידה, שבכל הזמנים ובפרט בתקופתנו זו רבת המאורעות ורבת השנויים ההכרח עוד גדול יותר ליסוד חזק בחיים ואיתן שיעמוד בפני כל מיני שנוים ונסיונות, ויסוד זה הוא התורה ומצוות בחיי יום-יום שרק בהם ועל ידם נשאר עם בני ישראל חי וקיים למרות המשברים והנדודים משך אלפי שנים, והיא שעמדה לאבותינו ולנו, וכידוע לכל היודע פרק בתולדות עמנו, שלא השפה ולא הארץ ולא ערכים אחרים הבטיחו קיומנו משך כל הדורות, אלא אך ורק תורתנו הק' ומצוותי' שהם חיינו ואורך ימינו בכל הזמנים ובכל המקומות ובכל תנאים.

וינעם לי להוודע ממך באופן ישיר ע"ד התקדמותך בהנ"ל ואשר הנך הולך ומוסיף בלמודיך ומצליח בהם.

בברכה.