Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6639 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem*,

11 Teves* 5719,

Brooklyn,

Blessings and greetings,

I am responding to your letter of 13/12, in which you describe the various events you and your husband have faced. You draw a final assessment and tell me that your situation has never been good, that it is no better at the present time. And one can naturally deduce from this the view you take of your condition. Now, I am surprised that you arrive at such a conclusion. For, you write yourself that only a few survivors remain of your family (note 1: Following the Shoah*) and that you are among them. You also write me that several problems and illnesses have found their solution. Likewise, you make reference to your husband and you say that one could not have imagined (note 2: Beforehand, that he would attain such achievements)... that he was able to achieve... that you both have a home.

If one takes all of this into account and if one observes your situation, not only in a superficial manner, but also in terms of what concretely takes place in your home, how could the final assessment be that which you describe? Of course, one must ask Hashem* that everything go better and still better, for He is the Essence of good and it is in the nature of the One Who is good to do good. Nevertheless, one must not ignore His kindnesses, such as one has already observed them. Moreover, you yourself say that these are evident kindnesses, verified miracles. I emphasize, furthermore, the following point: I do not mean to say that one should ignore what one needs. Nor do I claim that you lack no essential element. I mean only to highlight to you the good, in the widest measure, that you and your husband have been able to observe with your eyes of flesh.

Another point on this subject is no less important. As our holy Torah* explains, the quantity of divine blessings that a person receives depends, in large part, on the manner in which he receives them — that is, on the conduct he adopts in this regard, on the way in which he becomes aware of these kindnesses. It is in this manner that he widens the channel and the vessels through which he will obtain these kindnesses in the near future and, more generally, in the time to come. One of the effective means in this domain is the following: if one wishes to widen the blessings of Hashem*, one must render service to one's fellow, materially or spiritually. Indeed, everyone has the obligation to give material Tzedakah* and therefore has the means to do so. Now, the same is true in the spiritual domain. First of all, one thereby fulfills an Injunction of the Torah*, 'Love your fellow as yourself,' of which Rabbi Akiva says it is 'a great principle of the Torah*,' and it is indeed in this way that one multiplies the blessings of Hashem*. Furthermore, one derives from such conduct moral satisfaction, since one observes the positive fruit of one's effort. And this exerts a direct and indirect effect, enabling one's state of health to improve, enabling one to view one's own situation and that of one's surroundings in a different manner.

It would be good to have your husband's Tefillin* and the Mezuzos* of your home checked. Furthermore, you will observe the positive custom of Jewish women which consists of giving Tzedakah* each time you light the candles, on the eve of Shabbos* and the festivals. With my blessing,