Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8366 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

Friday, eve of the holy Shabbos*

Parshas Ki Sisa* 5722,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the annual banquet of the female auxiliaries of

Brownsville and East New York of the Yeshivos*

Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch,

I bless you and greet you,

You have informed me of your annual banquet, which will take place this Sunday, with the help of Hashem. In response, I convey my greetings and my blessing to all the participants. I express, in addition, my profound hope, that this celebration will receive the participation it merits, both financially and morally.

The Jews have the custom of linking every important event with the Sidra* of the week in which it occurs. I would therefore like to consider the beginning of the Parashah* that will be read this Shabbos*. This text deals with the Mitzvah* of the half Shekel*. The Midrash* (note 1: See the Likkutei Sichos*, volume 26, page 229, at note 2) relates the perplexity of Moshe*. How could a simple coin that a Jew offers for the Sanctuary accomplish so many things? How would it redeem the sin committed, as if one were offering one's own life to Hashem? Hashem then showed him a coin of fire (note 2: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "coin of fire" and: "This is what they shall give") and He said to him: "This is what they shall give."

The explanation of all of this is the following. Money is, certainly, material. However, when a Jew consecrates it to Tzedakah*, when he gives for a sacred cause, a Sanctuary, a Yeshivah*, when he offers it in the manner that is fitting, with generosity, with all his heart, with joy and enthusiasm, he connects to the fire of his divine soul. In this manner, an object as simple and concrete as a coin becomes inflamed and holy. It receives a divine property and it is able to ensure the redemption of the soul.

The work of the female auxiliaries is to contribute to obtaining a "coin of fire" for the Yeshivah* Tomchei Temimim*. This must be vivified by the participation of the women of Israel in the building of the Sanctuary. Indeed, they distinguished themselves, at that time, by their self-sacrifice and the gift they made of their own person, thus showing the good example to all. May Hashem cause your work to receive considerable success, both quantitative and qualitative. May He convey His blessing to you and to the members of your family, as well as to all the participants and to theirs, in all their material and spiritual needs. With my blessing that you give me good news,