980 —ברכה על מאמצים מתמשכים והשפעה נצחית

B"H, 13 Nissan, 5711, yahrzeit of Admor tzt"z. Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik btzatz"b etc. Mehor"y Gordon

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I observe your involvement in many matters entrusted to you by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe. I am delighted to see that you continue your good activities even now, and surely you will add further effort. Without doubt, may Hashem grant you the necessary strength for this, for the Holy One does not make unreasonable demands of His creations.

It is well known that the health of a Jew depends on Torah and mitzvos; involvement in them not only does not harm one's health—G‑d forbid—but actually strengthens the wellbeing of both the person involved and all their household.

Our Sages said (Bava Kama 92b): Chamra leMara v'Tivuta l'Shakya (the wine belongs to the owner but the benefit goes to the server). The baal haHilula—the Admor tzt"z—explains that this applies only to those who lack free choice and are like an axe in the hand of its wielder; therefore idol worship is forbidden since they are only tools. But a Jewish person has free choice, so Tivuta l'Shakya applies even if without his involvement the mitzvah would have been done anyway (see at length in Derech Mitzvosecha, Mitzvas Milah ch. 3).

How much more so regarding such a mitzvah as you are involved with—such as communal support, maos chitim (charity before Pesach), serving as gabbai at the Lubavitch synagogue and printing—where in matters of Heaven each person can influence another. In this case, the server is not just an intermediary but also influences his fellow to perform a mitzvah—whose reward is very great.

This is especially true regarding charity called "the act of tzedakah," where "the one who causes it is greater than the one who does it," meaning "to force," as our Sages taught: "We compel people regarding tzedakah" (see Kuntres Chag HaShavuos 5708, Dvarim HaMaschil V'Avdi David p.27). If about one who gives tzedakah it is said he enjoys its fruits in this world while its principal remains for the World to Come—how much more so for one who causes others to give; he becomes a ready vessel to receive Hashem's blessing: "Test Me now with this... I will pour out for you a blessing beyond measure," literally—in children, life, and abundant sustenance.

May Hashem bless you and your wife with proper health and livelihood with tranquility and much Yiddishe and Chassidishe nachas from all your descendants.

With blessings for a kosher and joyous festival and proper health. Awaiting good news.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that communal efforts in Torah and mitzvos bring strength and blessings not only to oneself but also one's family. Facilitating others' mitzvos—especially charity—multiplies merit and opens channels for abundant Divine blessing in all areas of life.