Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6527 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem*,

25 Tishrei* 5719,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem*, Rav Shmuel (note 1: Rav S. Lubashitski, of Brooklyn. See, on his subject, Letter no. 2983, which has similar content),

Greetings and blessings,

I have duly received your letter, with what was enclosed (note 2: Presumably a donation to Tzedakah*), which was transmitted to the office of discreet accomplishments (note 3: The distribution of Tzedakah* carried out without anyone knowing its origin). May Hashem* grant that, for long days and good years yet, the wishes of your heart be positively fulfilled, that you be able to serve Him with joy and enthusiasm. In the simplest sense and in the application of this principle to the service of Hashem*, this is what our Sages* explain regarding the verse Mishlei* 3:9: "Honor Hashem* with your goods." As the commentary of Rashi* reports, they say: "Do not read 'Honecha,' your goods, but 'Geronecha,' your throat" — that is, according to the expression of Moshe* our master, the faithful shepherd, reported by the Zohar*, volume 2, page 93a: "through the joy of song" (note 4: The recipient of this letter was the cantor of his synagogue).

May it therefore be as the Chassidic* discourses explain — that is, with a great joy, to which this double expression alludes: "joy and enthusiasm." And may Hashem* grant that we merit true abundance in all domains, in accordance with the assurance (note 5: Given to our father Yaakov*) that: "you shall spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south," thus receiving "an inheritance without limit." With my blessing,