The Divine service necessary to correct the factors that led to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash: Ahavas Yisrael and cherishing the Torah

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The Divine service necessary to correct the factors that led to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash: Ahavas Yisrael and cherishing the Torah

No. 92

This letter is addressed to R. Yaakov Katz, an active member of the Jewish community in Chicago and one of the primary supporters of Lubavitch in its early years in the United States.

B"H, Wednesday, 10 Menachem Av, 5703

Greetings and blessings,

With thanks, we would like to acknowledge receipt of your check for $112.50 to cover the expenses of printing the sichos of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, from the holiday of Pesach, vWda,. We have also received a check for a similar amount from R. Shlomo Palmer[1] and hence are sending the texts to print. As soon as they will be published, we will send you as many copies as you request.

In addition to the thanks, I would like to add the blessing of mazel tov for your merit in taking part in such an important achievement and enabling the many to merit, with G-d's help, illuminating their souls with the light of the words of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita. This will arouse them to Torah, Divine service, and deeds of kindness.

[It is explained that with regard to the two types of individuals, Torah scholars and businessmen, there are several advantages to [the Divine service of] businessmen. One of the points is that in addition to their own study of the Torah - for that is an obligation incumbent on every individual, as stated in the Shulchan Aruch[2] - they also give others the potential to study. For this reason, Zevulun is given precedence over Yissachar (as stated in Rashi in his commentary to Devarim 33:18, based on Bereishis Rabbah, ch. 72).

There is an additional advantage when the gift [that enables others to study] is given without an ulterior motive. This is [a genuine expression of] ahavas Yisrael - to do a favor for a Jew, even one whom one has never seen in one's life (as stated in the name of the Alter Rebbe; see HaYom Yom[3]). In such an instance, there is no possibility of an ulterior motive being involved.

In particular, this concept shares a connection to priests[4] who are "commanded to bless His nation Israel with love."[5] Moreover, the Priestly Blessing is conveyed even upon those who are outside the synagogue, even when the priest does not know the identity of the person standing there as stated in the Shulchan Aruch.[6]

As is well known, an arousal from below awakens an arousal from above. Uninvited tzedekah - for as our Sages state (Kesubos 50a), enabling others to have sacred texts to study is considered tzedekah - brings close the Redemption. [Indeed, giving chinam, without an ulterior motive] relates to [the motif of] exile and redemption concerning which (Yeshayahu 52:3; see Sanhedrin 97b which explains that this verse refers to the present exile): "You were sold chinam ("without charge"), and you will not be redeemed with money." [On the contrary,] we must invoke the chesed chinam, the uninvited kindness of the Holy One, blessed be He [to bring the Redemption]. As the Alter Rebbe writes (Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 20), this is the attribute of Yaakov;[7] the promise which he was granted was not sufficient.

And then our G-d - whom our Sages (Sanhedrin 39a) refer to as a priest - will bless His people Israel with peace.[8] The term "peace" includes "the kingship of the House of David" (as stated in Bamidbar Rabbah, ch. 11); may this be revealed speedily, in our days, through Mashiach, David's descendant.

With the blessing "Immediately to teshuvah, immediately to Redemption,"

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Chairman of the Executive Committee

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) [See letter 89 above.]

2. (Back to text) [Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Orach Chayim, 155:1; Hilchos Talmud Torah 2:1; 3:4.]

3. (Back to text) [Entry Kislev 15.]

4. (Back to text) [R. Yaakov Katz, to whom the letter is addressed, was a priest.]

5. (Back to text) [The text of the blessing recited by the priests before conveying the Priestly Blessings on the people (Siddur Tehillat HaShem, p. 268.]

6. (Back to text) [Shulchan Aruch HaRav 128:37.]

7. (Back to text) [The Rebbe mentions this point to refer to the name of the recipient of the letter, R. Yaakov Katz.]

8. (Back to text) [Cf. Siddur Tehillat HaShem, p. 27.]

The Divine service necessary to correct the factors that led to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash: Ahavas Yisrael and cherishing the Torah

Table of contents

Search this book:

The Divine service necessary to correct the factors that led to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash: Ahavas Yisrael and cherishing the Torah