1980 —זמן האפשערעניש וצדקה יומית לדאגות פרנסה

B"H, 18 Teves, 5713.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 13th of Teves, in which you inform me that your son... may he live, will turn three years old on the upcoming 24th of Shevat, and you ask whether to advance the upsherenish to Yud Shevat, the day of the hilulah: It is well known that Jewish custom—Torah itself—is that the upsherenish is not done before the boy completes three years. Therefore, you should also follow this practice; may it be at a good and auspicious time. I have copied in the margin a passage from a letter of my father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, regarding upsherenish.

Regarding what you write about your current concern for livelihood: it would be proper for you to give some coins to charity every weekday before prayer. It is well known that our Sages ruled: 'Tithe so that you may become wealthy,' and regarding this the Holy One, blessed be He, says: 'Test Me now with this' (Malachi 3:10). It is brought in later authorities that according to several halachic opinions, this verse applies even to general charity; see Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah section 247 and its commentaries there. The various opinions are also cited in Sdei Chemed, section Nun 16.

Certainly it goes without saying that you should strengthen your observance of the three daily study portions established by my father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe—in Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya—as is well known.

Blessings for success in livelihood.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches to follow tradition by waiting until age three for an upsherenish and encourages daily charity before prayer as a means of improving livelihood. He also stresses maintaining regular study in Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya for spiritual strength and blessing.