Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7477 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

20 Cheshvan* 5721,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem, devotes himself to communal needs, filled with zeal, the Rav Yaakov Yehudah (note 1: Rav Y. Y. Hecht, of New York. See, regarding him, letter no. 242),

I greet you and bless you,

On the joyous occasion of the celebration, at the conclusion of the coming Shabbos*, of the thirteenth anniversary since the function of Rabbi was entrusted to you within your community, the synagogue and house of study Rav Meir Simchah HaCohen, I address my congratulations and my blessing to you, as well as to the president, the officers and all the members.

As you know (note 2: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Shnei Luchos HaBris, at the beginning of Parshas Vayeshev, and the Kuntres Bikur Chicago, page 7"), the events of the week are linked to the Parshah* that is then read. In this case, this celebration occurs at the beginning of the week corresponding to Parshas* Toldos*. One can therefore discover a teaching in its first verse: "Yitzchak, son of Avraham; Avraham begot Yitzchak."

This repetition appears in the holy Torah*, whose purpose is to deliver a lesson applicable to daily existence. In this case, it underscores (note 3: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Midrash Bereishis Rabbah regarding this verse") the close relationship that exists between the Jewish generations, parents and children.

Very often, we hear people congratulating themselves on their illustrious parents and grandparents. This is merely the manifestation of "Yitzchak, son of Avraham." But, in addition, "Avraham must beget Yitzchak" — the father and the grandfather must be sincerely proud of their children and grandchildren, they must derive much satisfaction from them. The children must not content themselves with the merit of their parents. These latter, in turn, must have the merit of their children.

Such is precisely the purpose of a synagogue and house of study. It must not only be a holy place in which one prays and studies the Torah*, but must also radiate this holiness, connecting the synagogue to the homes of its members, from the youngest to the oldest.

This is also the role of the Rav and spiritual guide of the community. The latter, with all those who constitute it — young and old, children and women — whether at the synagogue or in their home, must be permeated with the clarity of the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, unite with it and develop, until becoming an important community, fully accomplishing the words of the verse: "Yitzchak, son of Avraham; Avraham begot Yitzchak." Such a result can be obtained through the collaboration of the Rav, the leaders and the members of the community.

May Hashem bless you all, may the success you have known during the past years reach new proportions and develop, for long days and good years, both materially and spiritually. With my respects and my blessing,

ב״ה ,כ״ף־חשון ,ה׳תשכ״א

ברוקלין ,נ.י.

הרה״ח וו״ח אי״א נו״מ עוסק בצרכי צבור בעל מרץ וכד

מוה״ר יעקב יהודה שי׳

שלום וברכה!

לרגל ההזדמנות המשמחת של חגיגת ״שלש עשרה שנה״ למשרת

רבנותו בקהלת קדש בית הכנסת ובית המדרש ״ר׳ מאיר שמחה הכהן״ -

במוצאי שבת קדש הבע״ל,

הנני שולח לו ,ליושב הראש החשוב ,לגבאים ולכל החברים שי' ,את

איחולי וברכתי.