Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6239 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem*,

11 Iyar* 5718,

Brooklyn,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

After a long interruption, I have received your letter from the conclusion of Shabbos*, in which you describe the state of your affairs. You wonder what the outcome of this year will be.

It is surely unnecessary to explain to you at length what trust in Hashem* is. Now, it is not enough to learn it from books. One must also experience it concretely. When a moment comes that is not what one would wish it to be, one must strengthen this trust and tell oneself that it will pass. According to the terms of the verse, "Hashem* your Elokim* is testing you." When He sees that one has overcome this trial, He brings it about that one observes, with one's eyes of flesh, that there was merely a trial, a veil without true existence. One of the means of hastening the improvement of one's livelihood is to increase one's contribution to tzedakah*. Your wife will do the same, from her own money. Furthermore, she surely observes the positive custom of virtuous Jewish women, which consists of giving tzedakah* before lighting the candles, on the eve of Shabbos* and the festivals.

* * *

To Mrs..., may Hashem* grant you long life,

Blessings and greetings,

Your husband writes to me that you have, thank Hashem*, reached the end of the eighth month. I therefore wish that everything go well and that you give birth easily to a healthy child, when the time comes.

You surely know of the custom of virtuous Jewish women, which consists of giving tzedakah* every time one lights the candles, and you observe it. Given your current state and also your commercial situation, you must adopt the counsel of our Sages*, that of broadening your contribution to tzedakah*, in general and before lighting the candles, in particular. Hashem* has given the assurance that, in this way, not only will one lose nothing, but on the contrary, one will gain from it. With my blessing to convey good news of all that has just been said,

P.S.: You write to me that you want to ask the landlord to divide the second floor and to reduce the rent accordingly. If this is easy to accomplish, you may do so. Conversely, if special efforts and interventions are necessary for this, it is not justified. In the end, this year will be a good one and, more importantly, your earnings will be used in good health and in joy.