Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7625 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

13 Nissan* 5721,

Brooklyn,

To the attention of the members of the community and the directors of the house of study of the rite of the Arizal*, in Montreal, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

I received, in its time, your letter of 29 Shevat* and I was pleased to learn that the words of encouragement addressed to you by this Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem, received a warm welcome. I was convinced that this would be the case. Indeed, our Sages* explain that: "I sleep, but my heart is awake: I sleep in exile, but my heart is awake for the Torah* and for the Mitzvos*." I also wish to hope, and this is essential, that the motivation that resulted from this will take the form of concrete actions, in the three domains that were so often emphasized by my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us — the love of Hashem, the love of the Torah*, and the love of Israel.

We are approaching the days of Pesach* and, as you surely know, our Sages* report to us that the six hundred thousand children of Israel had to leave Egypt all together. For, if a single one of them had been missing, Heaven forbid, the others could not have been liberated. And, this explanation delivers a teaching to us, especially during the days of Pesach*. Indeed, we must always keep in mind the necessity of bringing every Jew closer — man or woman, young or old — to the Torah* and to Judaism. One must invest the greatest efforts to achieve this and, in fact, this matters not only for the person who is thus brought closer, but also for all of us.

One can find an allusion to this at the beginning of Pesach*. Indeed, before beginning the Seder*, we make known and announce: "Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat. Whoever is in need, let him come and make the Pesach*." This declaration refers both to material assistance, in the simple sense, and to spiritual assistance. And, it is only after having pronounced it that one can say: "This year we are here, next year we will be in the Land of Israel. This year we are slaves, next year we will be free."

I wish all of you, as well as the members of your families, a Kosher* and joyous Pesach*. I hope to receive good tidings from you, in all domains. And, very soon, we will obtain the fulfillment of the request we formulate: "Next year, we will be in the Land of Israel, free" — with our righteous Moshiach*, very soon and in our days, Amen. With my blessing for a Kosher* and joyous festival,