Blessings for Yud-Beis Tammuz; advice to a chassid not to spend time improving his knowledge of English

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Not to be discouraged when it appears that one's efforts with others are apparently having only minimal effects

No. 642

This letter was addressed to R. Rafael Baruch Toledano, the Rabbi of Meknes, a city in Morocco where R. Michael Lipsker[587] had begun Lubavitch activities.

B"H, 14 Tammuz, 5710

With abundant greetings and blessings,

The telegram you sent reached me as signed by you and our mutual friend, the man of manifold activities, [carrying out] the works of Chiyya,[588] R. Michael Lipsker, with blessings for the Festival of Redemption of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m. Anyone who conveys blessings will be blessed himself[589] with the blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He, in which instance, the additional measure exceeds their source.[590] The Rebbe [Rashab,] (the father of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m,) explains (in his testament entitled Chanoch LeNaar,)[591] that [these blessings] draw down the light from G-d's infinity which transcends the spiritual cosmos.

In addition to drawing down all the influence which exists in the source Above, because it removes all the blocks and hindrances, it also generates a new will [Above]. You are granted new life, blessing, and peace in all of your affairs. Amen, so may it be G-d's will.

Similarly, I have been given happy tidings that you will do everything in your power to obtain an entry visa to your country for Rabbi Benyamin Gorodetzky,[592] one of the veteran students of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, and his emissary.

It is unnecessary to explain to a person such as yourself how important it is to hurry this matter.

The Alter Rebbe elaborates on the great advantage of eagerness[593] with regard to every matter associated with mitzvos, and supports the concept by citing "the eagerness [manifested by] our Patriarch Avraham." That [eagerness] "is the merit that stands us and our descendants in good stead for time everlasting. For the binding [of Yitzchak] itself cannot be considered such a great test when compared to the level of Avraham our Patriarch" ([Tanya,] Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 21).[594]

How much more so does the importance and the necessity of the attribute of eagerness apply with regard to education, and in particular, the education of young Jewish children! This is especially relevant in times of difficulty and stress like the present, the generation when Mashiach's approaching footsteps can be heard,[595] when "there is no day that...,"[596] a time of redoubled darkness, when the darkness of exile is increasing. As my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, hk"m, explained,[597] before dawn, the darkness of the night is greatest. For the Torah alone is our life. And its study in its most widespread dissemination, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and in particular, the study of pnimiyus HaTorah, the light of the Torah and its shining dimension, is an elixir of life[598] that strengthens all those who study it, involve themselves in it, and work on its behalf until G-d will, with kindness and mercy, break the yoke of exile. Israel will [then] be redeemed with charity.[599] This includes the charity that grants life to those who are poor — i.e., [poor in knowledge, as our Sages said:][600] "The true definition of a poor man is one who is poor in knowledge." (Because of the darkness of exile, there are those who err and think that their lack [in knowledge] is not poverty.) And, [as a result of the above, G-d] will lead us upright to our land, [headed by] our righteous Mashiach, speedily in our days. Amen.

To conclude with an explanation of the words of Torah: Since the concept of [giving] charity at night[601] was mentioned, I will explain a [relevant] point. I was one asked[602] with regard to the statement in the text Nagid U'Mitzaveh (Tefillas Shacharis) that "night is not a time fit [to give] tzedakah." Seemingly, since night is a time when the attributes of Gevurah[603] [prevail], it would be appropriate to give tzedakah in order to "sweeten them," bringing food to one's home.[604]

See the conclusion of the Sefer Shaarei Tefillah [compiled] by R. Yaakov Rokeach (Liorno, 5630) [which deals with this question].

May your health and your Torah be increased, and may your days in your position, a position of holiness, be extended in an abundance of good.

Wishing you all types of good and awaiting good tidings,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

   

Notes:

587. (Back to text) [See Letter No. 559 and those that follow that describe R. Michael's mission.]

588. (Back to text) [The Rebbe is referring to the story related in the Talmud (Kesubos 103b), where details of Rabbi Chiyya's efforts to spread Torah study among Jewish children are explained.]

589. (Back to text) [See Sotah 38b; Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachos, the end of ch. 8; cited by Tosafos, Chulin 49a.]

590. (Back to text) [See Bereishis Rabbah 61:4, et al.]

591. (Back to text) [P. 46ff.]

592. (Back to text) [A chassid who headed the office for the aid of refugees which received financial assistance from the Joint Distribution Committee. See Letter No. 620, et al.]

593. (Back to text) [Zerizus in the original.]

594. (Back to text) [There the Alter Rebbe explains that the Akeidah (the binding of Yitzchak) would not be considered as crowning a merit were it not for the eagerness which Avraham showed in carrying out G-d's command. After all, over the course of our national history, many have chosen martyrdom. What makes Avraham's example so praiseworthy is the eager willingness he showed in performing G-d's will.]

595. (Back to text) [Dora d'ikvasa d'mashicha in the Rebbe's words.]

596. (Back to text) [The Rebbe is referring to Sotah 49a which states: "From the time of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, there is no day that does not contain curses." He did not complete the quote, however, so as not to explicitly utter negative statements.]

597. (Back to text) [Likkutei Dibburim, Vol. I, p. 68a.]

598. (Back to text) [See Talmud Yerushalmi, Chagigah 1:7, and the gloss of the Korban Eidah.]

599. (Back to text) [Rambam, Hilchos Matanos Aniyim 10:1; see Shabbos 139a; Sanhedrin 98a.]

600. (Back to text) [Nedarim 41a. Our gifts to charity hasten Mashiach's coming.]

601. (Back to text) [In the previous context, charity in the "night" of exile.]

602. (Back to text) [See the Rebbe's Igros Kodesh, Vol. II, Letter No. 238, where he discusses this issue.]

603. (Back to text) [Might, identified with severity.]

604. (Back to text) [In the letter cited in note 602, the Rebbe explains that in some instances our Divine service is structured in tandem with the spiritual motifs that prevail at a given time (as in the advice given by Nagid U'Mitzaveh) and in other instances, it is intended to change those influences.]

Blessings for Yud-Beis Tammuz; advice to a chassid not to spend time improving his knowledge of English

Table of contents

Search this book:

Not to be discouraged when it appears that one's efforts with others are apparently having only minimal effects