2269 —חיפוש פרנסה רוחנית עם יגיעה ויוזמה

B"H, 18th of Menachem Av, 5714.

Brooklyn.

The Avrech haVavac"h iy"a nu"n Melachto Shamayim HaRav Chaim Tziment

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter in which you write about your settling in Boston regarding your studies in the yeshivah and also outside of it. I was happy to see that you are not content with merely fulfilling your job obligations but are adding strength and seeking areas where you can utilize your abilities and have an influence.

It is well known that our Sages always use the expression "osek baTorah" (engaged in Torah study), and as explained by my father-in-law the Rebbe, just as when it comes to earning a physical livelihood, a person in need does not wait for someone to come into his four cubits and prompt him; rather, he works day and night in every possible way to find his livelihood—and with abundance—so too must one be engaged in Torah and Judaism in general: one must search with appropriate effort for areas where he will find his spiritual livelihood. The measure of good is greater, so through this, additional blessing and success will also be added for him in material livelihood specifically, and in all his personal matters generally.

It is surprising that you do not mention anything about Shabbos gatherings (farbrengens), which surely exist in your area; if not, it is worthwhile to establish them properly and broadly.

You mention in your letter that you study a shiur of Ein Yaakov at the synagogue. It would be worthwhile to also institute there a study of halachic rulings—at least Kitzur Shulchan Aruch or at least the laws collected in Derech HaChaim by the Gaon of Lisa, which have also been printed in several siddurim, among them Siddur Im Shaar HaKolel, Siddur Shel"a, and others...

With blessings for success in your holy work and for good settling soon...

P.S. Please convey regards to your friend the Avrech haVavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Mordechai. It is surprising that since they traveled we have received no news from him.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that spiritual growth requires active pursuit and effort—just as one seeks material livelihood—encouraging initiative beyond formal duties. He also advocates expanding communal Torah learning for greater blessing both spiritually and materially.