Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9655

By the grace of Hashem, on Tuesday when the word "good"[2] was said twice[1], of the Parasha*: "If you lend money[3] to My people" 5729, Brooklyn, New York,

To the leaders of the charitable association Shomrei Shabbat*[4], may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you.

You informed me[5] that following the conclusion of the holy Shabbat* of Parshat: "If you lend money to My people," the annual meeting of the association and the Melaveh Malkah* will take place, in accordance with your positive custom — and here is my response[6]. May Hashem cause this to be at a good and fruitful moment, with an addition and elevation compared to previous years, in accordance with the Commandment[7] that one knows the elevation in the domain of holiness, which is also a strength infused[8] to put it into practice.

Charity* in the form of lending money is more important than Tzedakah*, since it can be practiced toward the rich as well as toward the poor[10]. Moreover, for the latter, it constitutes "the highest form[11] of Tzedakah*[12], surpassed by none," so that "one who gives Tzedakah* is at a lower level."

Now, Tzedakah* seems to possess an aspect that charity, lending, does not have, since it is given with "money that could have sustained one's vital soul." It is therefore one's very existence that is offered to Hashem[13], through this money that will not be returned. To use the formulation of the verse[14], one can therefore say that "every person with a generous heart" will offer gold and silver[15] to this charitable fund, for such a donation will have all the qualities just defined.

Another point, which is equally essential: the Alter Rebbe* explains[16] that one of the aspects of higher Teshuvah*[17] consists of attaching oneself to Hashem by imitating His Attributes, "just as He is merciful..."[18]. The action one will then adopt is Tzedakah*, which revives the spirit of the humble, as it is said: "For in six days, Hashem made..."[19], as is explained elsewhere[20].

And one should see the Chassidic* discourse entitled: "If you lend money," by the Rabbi Maharash*, of 5629[21], showing how the act of the six days of creation was a form of lending. One should consult that text. May Hashem cause all of this to be accomplished with joy and enthusiasm[22]. With my respects, my blessing for success in a visible and tangible good, as well as to give good news,

M. Schneerson

I enclose my contribution to the charitable fund.

Notes

(1) The Rabbi notes: "See Or Torah*, Bereishit*, from p. 33a."
(2) The Rabbi notes: "See tractate Kiddushin* 40a, the Rambam's* commentary on the Mishnah*, tractate Pe'ah*, ch. 1, Mishnah* 1, and the letter of the Rabbi Rashab*, in Sefer HaMaamarim 5709*, p. 18," as well as in Iggerot Kodesh* of the Rabbi Rashab*, vol. 1, letter no. 48.
(3) The Rabbi notes: "According to the daily study of the Chumash* in the framework of the daily studies of Chumash*, Tehillim*, and Tanya*," verse Mishpatim* 22:24.
(4) "Those who observe Shabbat*."
(5) See Likkutei Sichot*, vol. 6, p. 344.
(6) A similar letter was sent to the leaders of the charitable association at the Chabad center of Tel Aviv. It was published in Kerem Chabad*, no. 23, Shevat* 5730. The Rabbi states there: "I duly received, in its time, your letter with the annual report. May Hashem cause you to multiply acts of charity with an addition and elevation compared to previous years, in accordance with the Commandment that...," followed by what is stated above.
(7) According to tractate Berakhot* 28a. See, in this connection, letter no. 9577.
(8) See tractates Ketubot* 67a, Avodah Zarah* 3a; Midrash Tanchuma*, Parshat Nasso*, ch. 11; and Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah*, ch. 12, §3.
(9) The Rabbi notes: "According to the Torah's formulation, one does good both physically and financially. See the commentators on the Mishnah* at the beginning of tractate Pe'ah* and tractate Sukkah* 49b. And people have the custom of including also in the term 'charity' the lending of money."
(10) The Rabbi notes: "Tractate Sukkah* 49b. See the Shulchan Aruch* of the Alter Rebbe*, beginning of the laws of lending."
(11) The Rabbi notes: "Tur*, Shulchan Aruch*, Yoreh De'ah*, ch. 249, based on the Rambam*, laws of gifts to the poor, ch. 10, §7 and 8."
(12) The Rabbi notes: "This is what one can deduce from the Rambam* and the Tur*, Shulchan Aruch*. The Pricha*, commenting on the Tur* at the same reference, §7, considers that charity is not part of Tzedakah*, but I have not had the merit of understanding the meaning of his statement."
(13) The Rabbi notes: "Especially for one who earns his living through the effort of his hands. See, in this regard, the Tanya*, ch. 37, p. 48b."
(14) Terumah* 25:2.
(15) The Rabbi notes: "See Midrash Shemot Rabbah*, ch. 38, §4, which remarks: 'It is said that the gold is Mine, the silver is Mine (Chaggai* 2:8).' See Torah Or*, beginning of Parshat Vayeshev*."
(16) The Rabbi notes: "Iggeret HaTeshuvah*, ch. 9."
(17) The Rabbi notes: "Since it is said (in tractate Shabbat* 153a) that one must 'engage in Teshuvah* throughout one's life,' according to the terms..." [followed by the relevant discussion].
(21) [Discourse by the Rabbi Maharash* on the theme of lending and creation].

ט'תרנה

ב"ה , יום שלישי, שהוכפל בו כי טוב

פ' אם כסף תלוה את עמי, ה'תשכ"ט.

ברוקלין, נ.י.

הנהלת חברה גמילות חסדים שומרי שבת

ה' עליהם יחיו

שלום וברכה!

במענה לההודעה אשר במוצש"ק פרשת אם כסף תלוה את עמי תתקיים האסיפה השנתית של החברה והמלוה מלכה, כמנהגם הטוב מדי שנה בשנה –

יהי רצון שתהי' בשעה טובה ומוצלחת ובהוספה ועלי' על אלו דשנים שעברו – וכפי הציווי (שהוא גם נתינת כח): מעלין בקודש.

והנה גדולה גמ"ח דהלוואת ממון (יותר מן הצדקה) – שהיא בין לענים בין לעשירים,

ולא עוד אלא שאפילו בנוגע לענים – היא "מעלה הגדולה (בצדקה) שאין למעלה ממנה" ו"פחות מזה הנותן צדקה".

ולכאורה יש בצדקה מה שאין בגמ"ח דהלוואה – כי בצדקה הנה במעות אלו הי' יכול לקנות חיי נפשו החיונית הרי נותן חיי נפשו לה' – נתינת ממון שלא על מנת להחזיר.

וי"ל – ובל' הכתוב – דכל איש אשר ידבנו לבו ויתרום זהב וכסף גו' לקרן גמ"ח הרי כל המעלות האמורות ישנן בתרומה זו.

ועוד בזה – וג"כ עיקר – ע"פ דברי כ"ק אדמו"ר הזקן אשר מעניני התשובה (עילאה) הוא לדבקה בו ית' – המדות במדותיו ית' מה הוא רחום וכו' והמעשה הוא מעשה הצדקה להחיות רוח שפלים כמ"ש כי ששת ימים עשה ה' וכו' כנודע במ"א.

וראה ד"ה אם כסף תלוה – לכ"ק אדמו"ר מהר"ש – דשנת תרכ"ט איך שבעשיית ששת ימים כו' ישנו ענין הלוואה. עיי"ש.

ויהי רצון שיעשו כהנ"ל בשמחה וטוב לבב.

בכבוד ובברכת הצלחה בטוב הנראה והנגלה ולבשורות טובות,

מ. שניאורסאהן

מצו"ב תרומתי לקרן הגמ"ח.