Igrot Kodesh · Letter 391 — Chinuch Fundraising in the Month of Elul

By the grace of Hashem*,

2 Elul 5708,

To the Chassid* who fears Hashem, the community leader full of ardor, of many accomplishments, the generous

Rav M. T. Weksler,

I greet you and bless you,

Our emissaries[1], remarkable young men, Chassidim* who fear Hashem, the Rabbanim Shalom Haskind and Shimeon Aharon Simpson, spoke to us of you and of the enthusiasm with which you welcomed the work of Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch*.

We were particularly gratified to learn that you have promised to lend your support to the accomplishments of Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch*, by organizing a reception at your home. In this way, you will not only act yourself, but will engage others to do the same.

There is no need to spell out the importance of such a Mitzvah*. I hope that you will inform us when the planned gathering takes place at your home.

Elul* is the last month of the year, which prepares us for Rosh Hashana*, when we all ask Hashem to inscribe and seal us for good health, to grant us health, prosperity, and to fulfil all our desires, material and spiritual.

Two verses form the name of Elul*, through the initials of the words that compose them:

1. 'I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me.'

2. 'Gifts each to his friend and to the poor'[2].

These two verses clarify what the preparation of Elul* must be. One must first put into practice the words of the verse 'I am to my Beloved.' Every Jew must return to Hashem, experiencing a feeling of Teshuvah*. Then, he must give that feeling concrete expression, by applying the words of the second verse, 'gifts each to his friend and to the poor.'

Generally speaking, a person associates with those who are in a comparable situation to his own, and who can therefore be described as 'friends.' Other people, by contrast, are in a lower situation and are thus 'the poor.' Clearly, this concerns the moral dimension as much as the physical one. To attain completeness, a Jew must therefore combine both domains — dedicating himself both to 'friends' and to 'the poor.'

He who acts personally and, in addition, invites others to do so, exercises a positive influence upon them. He thus truly attains completeness in both domains, especially when he comes to the aid of Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch*.

With the expression of my gratitude and all my wishes for the new year,

Rav Menachem Schneerson,

Director of the Executive Committee[3]