Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9453

By the grace of Hashem, Tuesday

when, twice, the word "good" was said,[1]
of the Parashah*: "If you lend money to My people" 5728,
Brooklyn, New York,

To the directors of the charitable association*[2]
"those who honor the Shabbat*,"
may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet and bless you,

I am replying to the information[3] that your annual gathering and Melaveh Malkah* will take place at the conclusion of the holy Shabbat* of the Parashah*: "If you lend money to My people",[4] in keeping with your positive custom, as every year. May Hashem make this a good and fruitful moment, with an increase over last year, by virtue of the Injunction[5]: "One ascends in holiness," which also brings the strength to put it into practice.[6]

This year marks the hundredth anniversary since the Rebbe Maharach* pronounced the Chassidic* discourse[7] entitled: "They shall take for Me a portion," based on the beginning of the Parashah* whose study commences at the close of this Shabbat*. This discourse emphasizes[8] that: "You take Me to Myself",[9] if one may so express it. The Mitzvah* of taking gold and silver[10] "for Me"[11] establishes that: "I, Hashem, have not changed"[12] — and it is precisely this level that one "takes."

This text develops this idea based on a Midrash* of our Sages on the verse:[13] "These are the Laws," which says: "It is regarding this that it is written: 'He declared His words, His statutes, His laws to Israel.'[14] The Holy One, blessed be He, commands Israel to do what He Himself does."[15] Thus, the Holy One, blessed be He, wears Tefillin*[16] and similarly for all other Mitzvot*. This Midrash* means that by fulfilling the Mitzvah* of Tefillin*, one causes[17] Hashem to wear them as well. And similarly for all other Mitzvot*. One should consult the text of this Chassidic* discourse.

Consequently, when Jews offer their gold and silver for the purpose of fulfilling Hashem's Mitzvot*,[18] of practicing Torah* and Mitzvot* in general — and Tzedakah*, which alone is considered the equivalent of all the Mitzvot*[19] — in particular, they have the assurance that the Holy One, blessed be He, likewise portions out and grants to them and to their families the fulfillment of all their material and spiritual needs, from His full, open, holy, and generous hand. May Hashem cause you to do so in an ever-increasing manner, with joy and enthusiasm.[20] With my respects, my blessing for success, and that you give me good news,

M. Schneerson,

Enclosed please find the amount of my contribution, without making it a vow.

Notes

[1] The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See tractate Kiddushin* 40a, the Rambam's* commentary on the Mishnah*, tractate Pe'ah*, chapter 1, Mishnah 1, the letter of the Rebbe Rashab* in Sefer HaMaamarim* 5709, page 18." This letter of the Rebbe Rashab is found in his Igrot Kodesh*, volume 1, letter no. 48.
[2] The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "Which can be physical or financial, addressed to the poor as to the rich, according to tractate Sukkah* 49b. See the Shulchan Aruch* of the Admor HaZaken* at the beginning of the laws of lending."
[3] See Likutei Sichot*, volume 6, page 342.
[4] Mishpatim* 22:24.
[5] According to tractate Berakhot* 28a. See the references in letter no. 9380.
[6] See tractates Ketubot* 67a, Avodah Zarah* 3a, Midrash Tanchuma*, Parashat Naso*, chapter 11, and Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah*, chapter 12, paragraph 3.
[7] The Rebbe notes: "Printed in Sefer HaMaamarim 5628 (from page 87). The content of its beginning is cited here, but not as a verbatim quotation."
[8] The Rebbe notes: "These terms are cited and commented upon by Midrash Shemot Rabbah*, in Parashat Terumah*. See also Midrash Vayikra Rabbah*, chapter 30, paragraph 13, Midrash Tanchuma*, Parashat Emor*, chapter 17, and the Tanya*, chapter 47."
[9] The Rebbe underlines the word: "Me."
[10] The Rebbe notes: "See Midrash Shemot Rabbah*, chapter 33, paragraph 4, which specifies: 'It is said: The silver and gold are Mine.' See also Torah Or* at the beginning of Parashat Vayeshev*."
[11] Terumah* 25:2.
[12] Malachi* 3:6.
[13] Mishpatim* 21:1.
[14] Tehillim* 147:19.
[15] The Rebbe notes: "According to the wording of the Midrash*, chapter 30, paragraph 9."
[16] The Rebbe notes: "See in particular tractate Berakhot* 6a. Zohar*, volume 1, page 147a."
[17] The Rebbe notes: "See tractate Berakhot* 6a, which says: 'You have done for Me… I will do for you…'."
[18] The Rebbe notes: "See Torah Or* at the beginning of Parashat Vayeshev* and a more detailed explanation in Torat Chaim* and Or HaTorah* at the same reference."
[19] The Rebbe notes: "Yerushalmi*, tractate Pe'ah*, chapter 1, paragraph 1."
[20] The Rebbe notes: "See the Chassidic* discourse entitled 'Serve' in Sefer HaMaamarim 5699 (from page 94)."

ט'תנג

ב"ה,  יום ג' שהוכפל בו כי טוב

פ' אם כסף תלוה את עמי, ה'תשכ"ח

ברוקלין, נ.י.

הנהלת חברה גמילות חסדים שומרי שבת,

ה' עליהם יחיו

שלום וברכה!

במענה לההודעה אשר במוצש"ק פרשת אם כסף תלוה את עמי תתקיים האסיפה השנתית והמלוה מלכה, כמנהגם הטוב מדי שנה בשנה –

יהי רצון שתהי' בשעה טובה ומוצלחת ובהוספה על דאשתקד – בהתאם להציווי (שהוא גם נתינת כח): מעלין בקודש,

והנה שנה זו היא מלאות מאה שנה למאמר כ"ק אדמו"ר מהר"ש זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע: ויקחו לי תרומה – (ר"פ המתחילה במוצש"ק זה) – כביכול אותי אתם לוקחים: ע"י מצות תרומת זהב וכסף גו' אותי, היינו מה שהוא בבחי' אני ה' לא שניתי, אתם לוקחים,

ומבאר בזה ע"פ מדרש חז"ל עה"פ ואלה המשפטים: הה"ד מגיד דבריו גו' חוקיו ומשפטיו לישראל כו' הקב"ה מה שהוא עושה הוא אומר לישראל לעשות, הקב"ה מניח תפלין כו' ועד"ז כל המצות, וכוונת המדרש שע"י קיום מצות תפלין ממשיכים להיות הקב"ה מניח תפלין ועד"ז בכל המצות. עיי"ש.

ועל פי האמור, הנה כשישראל תורמים מכספם וזהבם כו' לקיים מצות ה', עניני תורה ומצות בכלל, וגמ"ח שהיא שקולה כנגד כל המצות בפרט – הרי מובטחים הם שהקב"ה תורם ונותן להם ולבני ביתם המצטרך להם בגשמיות וברוחניות, מידו המלאה הפתוחה הקדושה והרחבה.

ויהי רצון שיעשו בכהנ"ל ובאופן דמוסיף והולך, מתוך שמחה וטוב לבב.

בכבוד ובברכה להצלחה ולבשורות טובות,

מ. שניאורסאהן