Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1035 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem,
1 Sivan 5711,
Brooklyn,

To the distinguished chassid* who has yiras Shamayim*, Rav Eliyahu Hirsh[1],

Greetings and blessings,

I duly received your letter of 28 Iyar, and I thank you for the good news that it announces to me, since you inform me that the wife of Rav ... is doing better. May Hashem give you the merit of always transmitting good news.

I was happy to learn that you and your wife helped Rav ... in difficult moments. Already Hillel affirmed that the precept "you shall love your fellow as yourself" is a great principle of the Torah. My father-in-law, the Rebbe[2], citing the Alter Rebbe*, author of the Tanya*, says that "you shall love your fellow as yourself" is the entry-point to "you shall love Hashem."

I hope that the love of Hashem and the love of one's fellow will go together with you. The Tzemach Tzedek*, indeed, says: "Alef Beis — alef is the initial of ahavah*, love, and beis of berachah*, blessing. Gimel Daled — gimel is the initial of gaavah*, pride, and daled of dalus*, poverty," chas v'shalom*.

On the occasion of the festival of Shavuos*, I address my blessing to you that you may receive the Torah for the entire year, with joy and depth.

Notes
[1] Rav E. H. Einbinder.
[2] See, in this regard, letter no. 1097.