Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8349 — Prayer

By the grace of Hashem,

4 Adar Rishon* 5722,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem and devotes

himself faithfully to communal needs,

Rav Yaakov HaCohen (note 1: Rav Y. Katz, of Chicago. See, regarding him, letter no. 7855),

I greet you and bless you,

I respond to your letter of 2 Adar*, with what was enclosed therein. At a propitious moment, the name of your mother will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit will protect us, in conformity with what you write to me. And, the decision that you will make (note 2: Concerning the medical treatment of the mother) will be for the good, a visible and tangible good. In a general manner, when one considers moving from one place to another, especially at her age, it is preferable to abstain as soon as there is the slightest risk.

This week is that of Parshas Terumah*. One therefore begins to read, in the Torah*, the description of the construction of the Sanctuary and our Sages specify (note 3: In tractate Eruvin* 2a) that the Temple is also called Sanctuary. One could therefore think that Hashem takes into account only the soul and its service. In that case, what purpose do the thirteen or fifteen material elements that constitute this Sanctuary serve? Is it not preferable to study the Torah*, to pray with great fervor, including in an ordinary house or even in a courtyard (note 4: Rather than in a Sanctuary)? The same applies also to the sacrifices, which could have been offered on a simple platform, a place in the middle of a field or a city, without there being edifices all around.

Now, as our Sidra* relates, the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted gold, silver and bronze to be given. It is from all of this that a receptacle was made for the Divine Presence. And, it is there that one prays, since the prayers replace the sacrifices (note 5: According to tractate Berachos* 26a). The same applies to the study of the Torah*, which corresponds to the Holy of Holies, in which there were only the Holy Ark, the Tablets of the Law and the Sefer Torah*. An instruction therefore follows from this for all eras. Hashem must give and He effectively gives the Jews gold and silver, so that they put into practice His profound Will and that a dwelling be built for Him, precisely here below. With my blessing to give good news,