Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6975 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

20 Menachem Av* 5719,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to

communal needs, Rav* Shmuel Betzalel (note 1: Rav* Sh. B. Althuiz, of Melbourne. See, concerning him, letter no. 4911),

I greet you and bless you,

I have duly received your letter of 13 Menachem Av*, whose introduction was positive, since it spoke of the Chassidic* farbrengen* of 12 and 13 Tammuz*. First of all, you tell me that one observes a positive development, since the participants were more numerous and the activities have increased. May Hashem grant that this development be confirmed and that it be strengthened, in accordance with the needs and necessities of the moment, and above all with the blessing and success granted from above. One must distance oneself from the error committed in the world — Olam*, of the same etymology as Elem*, concealment — which is capable of obscuring what one can see with one's eyes of flesh, according to which the statements made recently about Ufaratzta* (note 2: "And you shall spread forth to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south," according to the slogan chosen by the Rebbe for this year. See, on this subject, letter no. 6541) have no real practical impact. Quite the contrary, these should be effectively followed by action, in a concrete manner.

May Hashem grant that one forge the necessary receptacles to obtain this, not with a few cents, but indeed with thousands of pounds (note 3: Australian pounds — that is, in very large proportions). It is known that, according to the expression of the Midrash*, there are reducing lenses and others that magnify. Thus, the same person, confronted with the same situation with all that concerns it, will observe himself, through the one and the other, in a diametrically opposed manner. And you know the image cited on this subject by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose merit protects us, according to which, when one asks Hashem for pearls and He grants this request, one person will ask for pearl barley and receive it, while another will want a pearl necklace worn around the neck and receive it (note 4: The word "perl" in Yiddish means both pearl barley and pearl). This is self-evident.

Moreover, this is so not only in spiritual domains, but also materially, for these two dimensions are linked. You announce good news to me — the Bar Mitzvah* of your son Chaim Immanuel. May Hashem grant that, from the obligation of the mitzvos* at thirteen, he proceed to the study of the Gemara* at fifteen, according to the stages defined by the Mishnah*. You and your wife will derive from him and from your other children much true satisfaction — a Jewish and Chassidic* satisfaction. With my blessing to give good tidings,