Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8625 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

Lag BaOmer* 5723,

one hundred and fiftieth year of the passing

Hilula* of the Admur HaZaken*,

Brooklyn, New York,

To all the participants of the association of women and

young girls of Chabad*, in general, to those who take

part in the eighth annual convention, in particular,

may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

The gathering of the women and young girls of Chabad*, like all the celebrations of this year, will surely be placed under the imprint of the one hundred and fiftieth Hilula* of the Admur HaZaken*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, founder of the philosophy, the way of life, and the teaching of Chabad*, especially if one takes into account the important place that is occupied, in Jewish life, by the Jewish woman, in general, by the Chabad* woman, in particular (note 1: See the Likkutei Sichos*, volume 4, at page 1300).

On this occasion, and also because your convention takes place during the period of the Omer*, I would like to relate to you here the well-known account (note 2: See the HaTamim*, volume 6, from page 89-312) of one of the first Chassidim* of the Admur HaZaken*, Rabbi Gabriel the gracious and his wife, Channah Rivkah.

* * *

Rabbi Gabriel was an important head of household of Vitebsk. But, after twenty-five years of marriage, he and his wife still had no children. Subsequently, he was the object of legal proceedings and, because of this, he lost all his possessions.

Once, the Admur HaZaken* intervened for the liberation of a captive and Rabbi Gabriel was particularly distressed to note that he was not in a position to bring his participation, in the amount that was asked of him. Learning all of this, his wife sold her pearls and her jewels, from which she was able to obtain a certain sum. She then cleaned these coins, until they were shining. Then, she formulated a prayer to Hashem, so that their Mazal* would also be shining. Finally, she wrapped these coins and she entrusted them to her husband, so that he bring them to the Admur HaZaken*.

Arriving at the Rebbe*'s, in Liozna, Rabbi Gabriel placed the package on the table and, at the request of the Rebbe*, he opened it. The coins shone, with a particular glow.

The Admur HaZaken* meditated, for several moments, then he said: "The children of Israel offered gold, silver, and bronze, for the construction of the Sanctuary. Among all these offerings, nothing shone as much as the basin of ablution and its base, fashioned with the bronze mirrors that the women had brought, with abnegation and joy. Tell me what is the origin of these coins!"

Rabbi Gabriel had to report his situation to the Rebbe* and he recounted to the Admur HaZaken* in what manner his wife, Channah Rivkah, daughter of Beila, had obtained this amount.

Leaning on his hands, the Admur HaZaken* experienced ecstasy, for a certain time, then he raised his head and he granted, to him and to his wife, a blessing for children, a long life, wealth, and a particular grace. He asked Rabbi Gabriel to close his business in Vitebsk and to trade in precious stones and diamonds.

The blessing of the Rebbe* was fully accomplished. Rabbi Gabriel the gracious became very wealthy. They had sons and daughters. He himself departed this world at the age of one hundred and ten years and his wife survived him for two more years.

Relating this account, my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, complemented it with a commentary of the Admur HaZaken*. He underlined that the verse says, regarding the counting of the Omer*, allowing to prepare oneself for Shavuos*: "you shall count for yourselves" (note 3: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "You shall count for yourselves," "make shining" and "and, you shall count for yourselves"), which can also be rendered as "you shall make your 'self' shining."

* * *

A teaching of this account, among other profound ideas that it contains, is the following. Despite what happened, the coins devoted to Tzedakah* remained the same, in their number as in their value. Nevertheless, they were offered with abnegation and joy and, thereupon, they received another price, another clarity. They illuminated existence in this world and, evidently, in a more luminous world.

Of course, it is the same for moral Tzedakah*. Every action, every initiative introduced to disseminate the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, when it is illuminated by the clarity and the warmth of Chassidus*, which allows to accomplish it with abnegation and joy, is much more fruitful, effective, and it procures a much more considerable merit.

May Hashem cause each one of you, within all the people of Israel, to feel the Injunction "And, you shall count for yourselves," according to the interpretation that the Admur HaZaken* gave of it. You will illuminate your own person and all that surrounds you, by the clarity of the Torah*, of the Mitzvos*, and of Chassidic* conduct, on a daily basis. It is in this way that you will obtain light in all domains, material and spiritual. With my blessing of success in all that has just been said,

Menachem Schneerson,