Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5119 — Chinuch

B"H

12 Shevat* 5717

Brooklyn

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem*

and devotes himself to communal needs,

Rav Yosef Baruch* (see note 1),

Greetings and blessings,

I was pleased to meet with you and to exchange with you on matters pertaining to the strengthening of Jewish values in general, and in particular on education in sacred values, the mikveh*, and the purity of Israel.

Furthermore, I would like to express here my deep conviction that Hashem will grant success to the work being done in these domains, for which you bear responsibility in your city, and to tell you how important it is that you, for your part, and the Chassidim* who are there, for theirs, not only maintain the commitments you have undertaken until now but, moreover, increase them considerably, in accordance with the teaching of our holy Torah that one ascends in the domain of holiness.

The Sages know no rest, and they ascend from one stage to the next. You know the saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe (see note 2), leader of Israel, that when a Jew here below takes upon himself the commitment to give to tzedakah* an amount that seems to exceed his means, new means and new channels are immediately opened for him above, so that he can fulfill it completely.

We have been able to observe that this was so in situations we have witnessed. Without doubt, it will be the same for you — all the more so since the two points mentioned above (see note 3) are pillars upon which the house of Israel rests.

The Mishnah* states that one mitzvah* leads to another. Not only does the first not impede the second, but on the contrary, it assists it. Consequently, I hope that you will adopt the three daily studies that concern everyone, which were disseminated by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, because they are incumbent upon all and have manifold positive effects. They are as follows:

A) Each morning, after the prayer, one recites Tehillim*, according to their monthly division.

B) One studies each day a parshah* of the Chumash* with the commentary of Rashi*, from the sidrah* of the week — on Sunday until Sheini*, on Monday until Shelishi*, and so forth.

C) One studies each day a passage of the Tanya*, according to its annual division.

At a propitious moment, I will read your request for a blessing at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe. May Hashem grant that you give me good tidings regarding this and also regarding all that was said above.

With my blessing,

Notes

(1) Rav Y. B. Ossalko.

(2) See, on this subject, letter no. 4970.

(3) The education of children and the mikveh.