Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7407 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem,

21 Menachem Av* 5720,

Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I duly received your letter of the conclusion of Shabbos*. May Hashem positively fulfill the wish of your heart, concerning the dissemination of Judaism, of the Torah*, of the Mitzvos*, and in particular of Chassidus*, everywhere your influence extends, as you write in your letter. Indeed, we have been given the assurance that: "When a person sanctifies himself a little here below, Hashem grants him from above a considerable sanctification." Furthermore, the merit of the public comes to your aid. At a propitious moment, your name and that of the members of your family will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us, in accordance with what you write to me. With my blessing of success in the dissemination of Judaism, in a constantly increasing and ever more luminous manner, as well as to give good tidings in general,

M. Schneerson,

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By the grace of Hashem,

22 Menachem Av* 5720,

Brooklyn,

To the Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, the Rav Gershon Mendel (note 1: Rav G. M. Garelik, of Milan. See, regarding him, letter no. 7314),

I greet you and bless you,

I duly received your letters of 4 and 16 Menachem Av*, with what was enclosed — the copy of the text relating to the bicentennial (note 2: Of the Hilloula* of the Baal Shem Tov*). It would be good to modify its beginning: "Since the giving of the Torah*, the Jews divided into two categories: those who study the Torah* and common people. The Baal Shem Tov* changed all of this" — which implies that for more than two millennia, disorder reigned, including in the era of Moshe our teacher! The correction necessary in this matter is quite evident. One must say that such was the situation that prevailed just before the revelation of the Baal Shem Tov*.

ז'תז*

ב"ה, כ"ב מנ"א תש"כ
ברוקלין
הרה"ח אי"א נו"נ עוסק בצ"צ מו"ה גרשון

מענדל שי'

שלום וברכה!

מאשר הנני קבלת מכתביו מד' וט"ז מנ"א עם המצורף אליו ההעתקה ע"ד שנת המאתים.

וכדאי לשנות בהתחלתו שכאילו "מיום מתן תורה נתחלקו בני ישראל לשני סוגים, לומדי תורה ואנשים פשוטים והבעש"ט שינה זה", שהיינו דכמו אלפים שנה ויותר - לא הי' הענין מסודר כלל וגם בימי משה רבנו! ופשוט התקון בזה, בשורות הראשונות שצ"ל קודם התגלות הבעש"ט הי' כנ"ל כו'...

ז'תז*
נדפסה בלקו"ש חי"ח ע' 442 והושלמה ע"פ העתק המזכירות.

מו"ה גרשון מענדל שי': גרליק, מילנו. אגרות נוספות אליו - לעיל ז'שיד, ובהנסמן בהערות שם.