Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7670 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem,

15 Sivan* 5721,

Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

After a long interruption, I duly received your letter from the eve of Shabbos*, in which you envisage an extension of your business. In general, this is indeed a good initiative, but you must ensure that other Chassidim* earn their livelihood from it as well. Moreover, you write to me that you judge it necessary to entrust part of the work to someone. It is clear that the details and practical modalities will be defined on the spot, according to commercial rules, but broadly, such must indeed be the objective, the goal. Moreover, you know how much our masters exerted themselves to find means of subsistence for Chassidim*. This is the expression of brotherly love. In this case, you envisage a partnership with someone who already possesses such a business. This depends on the state of mind and character of this man. From what you say, he has been exercising this activity for a long time already. It is therefore easy to determine this.

In general, one must furthermore take into account the fact that a partner with a business that already exists will have demands and will feel stronger. In fact, logic and uprightness establish that this should indeed be the case. One must therefore know this. And, there is a second aspect, which is positive — in this way, competition is reduced. I hope that even before the conclusion of this matter, you will enable a multiplication of the activities of Beis Lubavitch*, as was discussed. I add that this is the channel and the receptacle enabling one to obtain the blessing of Hashem. Without doubt, you maintain the three well-known studies — on the Chumash*, the Tehillim*, and the Tanya*. With my blessing to give good tidings of all this,

For the Rebbe* Shlita*,

The secretary,