211 —הזמנה להיות שותף בהוצאת לאור אוסף משיחות הרבי

B"H, 1st of Adar I, 5706.

Chicago.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

You surely received my letter from the 7th of Shevat. I hope you will soon return to me the words from Pesach that I read to you. As you recall, you once spoke with me about your desire to participate in one of our printing projects. Now, an opportunity has arisen, and that is why I am writing to you now: My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, has recently granted permission to publish in mimeograph form, in a limited number, a collection of talks from his father, the Rebbe of blessed memory. This book is scheduled for completion by the end of the week; it will be approximately 330 pages. For the expenses of publishing this book—which will amount to around $1900—we had planned as follows: two partners at $500 each, and the remainder would be covered by sales. One of the two partners has already contributed his $500 toward this purpose, but at the last moment, the second found himself unable to commit. In such a situation, I would like to suggest that you become the second partner in helping publish this book. It would not bother me if you paid out the sum as $100 per month over five months.

Regarding the greatness of this matter, I consider it unnecessary to elaborate for you. However, since the book must be completed by week's end, I ask that you inform me immediately of your decision in any case.

To conclude with a word from today's Torah portion, Parshas Mishpatim: All these laws after Matan Torah begin with the law of an Eved Ivri—Ki Tikneh Eved Ivri Shesh Shanim Ya'avod Uvashvi'it Yetze Lachofshi Chinam ("When you acquire a Hebrew servant: six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go free without charge"). This is very puzzling—why begin with such a law? Especially since according to Gemara (Kiddushin 14b), this refers to a servant whom Beis Din sold because he stole and could not pay back. Firstly, if we are to begin with this law, logically it should have started with theft—that a thief pays double—and only then if he cannot pay: Venimkar Bignivaso ("he is sold for his theft"), and only then tell us about Eved Ivri; secondly, it is difficult altogether why this section begins with laws involving mishap: (a) A Jew steals; (b) he has no assets to pay; (c) no one helps him until Beis Din must sell him as a servant for six years.

But this law reflects and instructs regarding all Mishpatim—the purpose is to teach man to overcome his negative inclinations and desires and correct what he previously did wrong. But how does a Jew come—after Matan Torah—to negative desires and actions? Our Sages explain in Berachos (28b): because sometimes a Jew forgets that the Baal HaBayis—the Master above—sees what he does; thus he thinks he can "sneak something by." The solution: The Ivri becomes an Eved (servant) to Hashem; through serving for six years—avodah in Torah and mitzvos—then Uvashvi'it (in the seventh millennium) Yetze Lachofshi Chinam ("he will go free without charge"). Then mitzvos will be on another level, as explained by the Alter Rebbe at the beginning of today's Torah portion in Torah Or.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages timely partnership in sacred publishing efforts and draws inspiration from Parshas Mishpatim about overcoming negative tendencies through dedicated service to Hashem.