1168 —ברכות אלול ומתנות מהשם

B"H, 3 Elul, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Yeshaya HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your pidyon nefesh for the Festival of Redemption in due time, and I read it at the resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal (may his merit protect us), to arouse abundant mercy upon you and your entire family for everything each one needs. During these days of favor and mercy in the month of Elul, I await good news from you regarding the beginning of the fulfillment of your heart's wishes for good in those matters you wrote about in your letter and pidyon nefesh.

It is known that one of the acronyms for the month of Elul is 'Ish l'Re'eihu u'Matanot laEvyonim' ("A person to his fellow and gifts to the poor"), and each of us is considered a pauper before the Holy One, blessed be He. Our Sages taught on 'Maggid Devarav l'Yaakov' (He tells His words to Yaakov) that what He commands Israel to do, He Himself does. Surely He will give gifts to all of us speedily.

With blessings for a kesivah vachasimah tovah for a good and sweet year.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that during Elul we are all like paupers before Hashem, Who gives generously to each person. By connecting our prayers with acts of kindness, we open ourselves to receive G‑d's abundant blessings for a good and sweet year.