Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8404 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

18 Nissan* 5722,

Brooklyn,

To Mr. David (note 1: Mr. D. Helman, of Passaic, New Jersey, United States),

I greet you and bless you,

I have duly received your letter of 12 Nissan*. I thank you for your wishes (note 2: On the occasion of the sixtieth birthday of the Rebbe*, 11 Nissan*) and, as I have emphasized many times, there is a disposition of the Torah* (note 3: See, on this subject, letter no. 8402), of great force, according to which the one who blesses a Jew is himself blessed by Hashem, as it is said: "I will bless those who bless you," by the blessing of the Holy One, blessed be He, Whose interest surpasses the capital. I come to the content of your letter, concerning the Mitzvah* of pilgrimage (note 4: To the Temple for the three festivals, Pesach*, Shavuos* and Sukkos*. See, on this subject, letter no. 8258).

You write all this to me about a Mitzvah* which, for Jews residing in the diaspora in the era of the Temple and, all the more so, after its destruction, for all Jews, is no longer an obligation of the Torah*. I therefore wish to have the intense hope that in the future, you will do all (note 5: The Rebbe* underlines the words: 'all' and 'all') that depends on you to fulfill the Mitzvah*: "You shall love your fellow as yourself." Our Sages say that this also has the following import. What one accomplishes for oneself, a daily conduct conforming to the teachings of our holy Torah*, Torah* of life, to the practice of its Mitzvos* of which it is said: "One shall live by them," must also be communicated, in a peaceful manner, to all (note 5) those who surround you, so that they fulfill all the Mitzvos* of the Torah*, as well as those of our Sages, then that they seek in their turn the means of fulfilling them in the best manner. Indeed, the assurance has been given to us that words emanating from the heart penetrate the heart.

According to what I have heard, one can accomplish much, in Passaic, concerning education based on sacred values. For the time being, many children unfortunately do not receive such an education. And, there are still other domains, linked to holiness (note 6: In which action is necessary). As I have said, I hope that you will accomplish all of this with great energy. May Hashem grant you success. With my blessing to give me good news of all this,

(Due to the holiness of the festival, the Rebbe* Shlita* did not sign the present letter and I therefore do so in his place,

The secretary,)

N.B.: Of course, I will be pleased to have news of your success, in all that has just been said.