Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8120 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

21 Iyar* 5717,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself

to communal needs, Rav Shlomo (note 1: Rav Sh. Perin, of London. See, regarding him, letter no. 7965),

I greet you and bless you,

I respond to your letter of 16 Iyar* and to the one that preceded it. The distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Ch. M. A. Hadakov (note 2: Rav Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hadakov, director of the secretariat of the Rebbe) has already transmitted my opinion to you. If the information obtained through the intermediary of Rav Spector is certain, one must commit to the amount of one thousand pounds. My reasoning is, in this case, the following. In the meantime, two months will elapse and, at the present time, it is difficult to know what will happen at the end of this period, even for those who are well informed. More generally, I once heard a witticism from a merchant, according to which a business in which the head plays no role should not be pursued. It is thus for everything concerning the stock exchange (note 3: In Russian in the original text, the rest of the letter being in Yiddish), especially in our era, in which everything is not based on exact calculations and solid results.

As for the loan (note 4: To be contracted from American merchants), the merchants here find themselves in a very tight situation. It is therefore out of the question to solicit them, especially for someone who is abroad. May Hashem help you earn your livelihood more broadly, in a constantly increasing manner. In this way, you will have the breadth of spirit that permits doing all that is necessary for the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, in the fitting manner. May Hashem grant that you announce good news of all that has just been said, in good health, as well as the members of your family. With my blessing,

M. Schneerson,