750 —צדקה של הגוף ושל הנשמה על סף שנה חדשה

B"H, 18 Elul. May Hashem be with our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of Israel, wherever they are—may Hashem be upon them; may they live. Shalom u'Vrachah!

Standing at the threshold of the new year, which is coming upon us and all Israel for good, each one of us is awakened to make a soul-accounting of everything that happened to him in the past year.

Each person resolves that the new year should be better and higher in every respect, and he turns in prayer to our Father in Heaven to grant him a good inscription and sealing—a good and sweet year both materially and spiritually.

Our Sages of blessed memory say that by giving tzedakah one's prayer is accepted, causing G‑d to grant us health, livelihood, and happiness.

Just as a person consists of a body and a soul, so when we speak of poverty it refers both to physical needs—those related to the body—and spiritual needs—those related to the soul.

Similarly with tzedakah: there is tzedakah for the body and tzedakah for the soul. Our Sages say (Tanna D'vei Eliyahu Rabbah ch. 27) "Ki Tireh Arom V'kisito" (When you see someone naked, clothe him)—what does the prophet mean? He means that when you see someone without Torah, you should teach him Shema and prayer, encourage him to do mitzvos, learn Torah, etc.

In these days of soul-accounting, each person—man or woman—should account for how much tzedakah he has given for material needs and how much for spiritual needs; also whether this is sufficient according to his wealth—both spiritual and material. Now is still a time to correct what was lacking.

Just as even a poor man can and must help his poor friend with what he has, so too every Jew—even if spiritually poor—can and must help another spiritually needy person with what he possesses spiritually; exerting positive influence on those around him to bring them closer to Torah and mitzvos.

Those who are materially wealthy—as well as those who possess spiritual treasures—the baalei Torah (Torah scholars), yeshiva students, etc.—must give generously from their money and their spiritual treasures to save, heal, and strengthen the souls and bodies of their brothers and sisters.

I conclude with a wish and blessing: May our Father in Heaven—the Merciful Father—grant us all a good inscription and sealing for a good and sweet year materially and spiritually; may He send us the true complete redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days. Amen.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that as we approach Rosh Hashanah we must reflect on our actions—giving both material charity for physical needs and spiritual charity by sharing Torah. Every Jew can help others in both ways; this brings blessings for a sweet new year.