Igrot Kodesh · Letter 835 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem,

19 Kislev 5711,
Festival of our liberation
and the salvation of our soul,
Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid, who fears Hashem,
Mr. Yitzchak Shpalter,

I greet and bless you,

I duly received your letter, in its time, and I was pleased to learn that everything took place in calm and that you were liberated.

Moreover, I learned with satisfaction that you have adopted my advice. Concerning this, you write "in addition," for the liberation is the essential matter. Hashem does not desire that a Jew have troubles. One must therefore rejoice that you received the blessing and that you were worthy of revealing it.

The second point, by contrast, depends on your good will, and Hashem has granted to each one free choice. It is therefore conceivable that the yetzer hara* may intervene and prevent putting into practice the good resolution that has been taken.

Now, you write to me that you are indeed doing what I proposed to you, and there is therefore reason to hope that this position, on your part, will be lasting. I was particularly joyful about this.

You surely have knowledge of the festival of 19 Kislev. For all useful purposes, I attach a brochure on this subject, which we have published in English. This will give you an overview of some great principles of Chassidus*. I hope that you will find the time to study it. Our common friend, Aharon Katz, will know how to help you do so.

I conclude with the blessing and the wish that you may always announce good news, of yourself and of the members of your family,

Menachem Schneerson

You will find enclosed a receipt for your check, which I have transmitted to the office of confidential affairs of Machaneh Israel — the fund that was created by my father-in-law, the Frierdiker Rebbe, to distribute tzedakah* in a discreet manner, to individuals and to institutions.

This activity, like all the others that were introduced by my father-in-law, the Frierdiker Rebbe, continues and develops, thank Hashem.