1089 —חיזוק תמיכה בכולל והשבת סיוע למוסדות הרבי

B"H, 6 Tammuz, 5711.

Brooklyn, NY.

Havavac"h iy"a num"m ish eshkolot oseik btz"tz"b etc. etc. Moreinu Yosef Flyer

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With thanks I received your letter from Sunday, 1 Tammuz, along with the enclosed checks. "The wine belongs to the owner and the thanks to the server"—may you be strengthened for your good efforts on behalf of the Kolel in Eretz HaKodesh, may it be rebuilt and established. Surely you will continue to strengthen and increase this as required by the times—especially since, as you wrote in your letter, less than half was collected this time; therefore you are justified in demanding from all those who this year contributed a smaller amount or did not participate at all. On the contrary: when it comes to a living matter, it should always grow and increase—not G‑d forbid diminish—for increase and growth are signs of life, whereas contraction and reduction are the opposite. Whoever increases is given more; regarding tzedakah our Sages said that one who causes others to act is greater than one who acts himself—this is even more than what our Sages said: "the wine belongs to the owner and the thanks to the server."

Incidentally, there is a well-known question: since we say "the wine belongs to the owner and the thanks to the server," why then is idol worship forbidden if through them too influence is drawn down below? As it says: "and with precious fruits of the sun and with precious yield of months." The answer is simple: The sun, moon, and all heavenly hosts have no free choice—they are like an axe in the hand of a woodcutter; there is no reason to thank an axe. But if the server has free choice and by his goodwill becomes an agent to bring about actual good, then he deserves thanks.

From this it follows that since angels have no free choice—as brought in Tanya chapter 39 at its beginning—and even among earthly beings true free choice exists only among Bnei Yisrael, therefore "thanks to the server" applies in truth only among Bnei Yisrael. It is also understood that absolute free choice exists only in G‑d Himself—nothing compels Him—therefore His choice is truly free; whereas no created being can be completely free because ultimately their nature or intellect or will or desire compels them toward one action over another. Even if compulsion comes from within, still then there is no true free choice.

Since true free choice pertains only to G‑d's essence—which is perfect—so too below it applies only to man who was created "in Our image after Our likeness," as you alone are called man.

Thank you for your few lines regarding Keren HaHatzalah (the Rescue Fund). As you know—in this year nothing was given for institutions of my revered father-in-law, may his merit protect us—which are in Europe; whereas in previous years all their support went to these institutions but this year not even a penny was given—even though aid was provided for Europe in Romania... My hope and confidence is that you will strive promptly to correct this so that nothing will be lacking for these institutions—which are my revered father-in-law's institutions—and surely he watches over them with an alert eye even now and cares for their welfare and arouses abundant mercy from Above so that all their matters should succeed.

May it be G‑d's will that we can share only good tidings with each other.

Blessings.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages persistent effort in supporting Torah institutions—especially when challenges arise—and teaches that true gratitude applies when one acts by free choice for good causes. He emphasizes restoring aid where it has lapsed as a vital responsibility.