Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6123 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem*,

20 Adar* 5718,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the attention of those who pray in the Beth Israel synagogue of Manchester, may Hashem* grant you long life,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

I have learned with pleasure that your synagogue has settled into its new dwelling, at a good and fruitful moment. We are in the period between Purim* and Pesach*, in months of joy and deliverance. I therefore wish you to serve Hashem* joyfully, through prayer, which is also a form of exodus from Egypt and liberation, as Chassidus* explains. I hope that your synagogue will also be a house of study, in which one will learn the Torah* and Chassidus*, not only on Shabbos* and the festivals, but also several times during the week, in order to introduce holiness into the weekdays, in all domains of daily existence.

I wish you, in particular, what was said this Purim* regarding the verse: "Many of those who belonged to the peoples of the earth converted to Judaism." Beyond the literal meaning of these words, there is also a deeper significance, which concerns each person. The life of the soul is within the body and certain aspects of this body pertain to the "peoples of the earth" — food and drink, commerce and, more generally, physical needs. The Torah* therefore asks that a Jew distinguish himself from others, not only when he studies the Torah*, prays, or puts the mitzvos* into practice, but also when conducting commerce, when eating and drinking. His commerce must therefore conform to the provisions of the Torah*, that is, be virtuous, without unfair competition, without speaking ill of competitors. Food and drink will also conform to the Torah*, with the proper proportion and intention. Naturally, Kashrus* is a means of putting into practice the Precept: "In all your ways, know Him," as the Rambam* and the Tur* Shulchan Aruch*, Orach Chaim*, chapter 231 explain.

A Jew begins his day with prayer — with the morning blessings at home, then the prayer itself at the synagogue. After that, he studies the Torah*, and it is then that he puts into practice everything concerning the Precept: "In all your ways, know Him," according to the Tur*, Shulchan Aruch*, Orach Chaim*, chapters 155 and 156. Consequently, in a synagogue, one must ensure that one is permeated by its influence, that one illuminates one's conduct for the entire day. May Hashem* grant that very soon, from this new synagogue which is a small sanctuary, you may merit, within all of Israel, to go to the Third Temple that will be built, at the true and complete redemption, through our righteous Mashiach*.

With my blessing for all good,

M. Schneerson,