2269 —חיפוש פרנסה רוחנית עם יגיעה ויוזמה

B"H, 18 Menachem Av, 5714.

Brooklyn.

The Avrech vavac"h iy"a nu"n Melachto Shamayim Harav Chaim Ziment

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 gratified that you are not content with fulfilling only the obligations of your position but add strength and seek out ways to utilize your abilities and influence.

It is well known that our Sages always use the expression "osek baTorah" (engaged in Torah), and my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, explained that just as with earning a physical livelihood, a person 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 expansively. So too must one's engagement in Torah and Judaism be: one must search with fitting effort for matters through which he will find his spiritual livelihood. And since the measure of good is greater, this also brings increased blessing and success in physical livelihood specifically, as well as in all other personal matters generally.

It is surprising that you do not mention anything about Shabbat gatherings (farbrengens), which surely exist in your area; if not, it would be worthwhile to establish them appropriately and expansively.

You mention in your letter that you study a shiur of Ein Yaakov in the synagogue. It would be worthwhile to institute there at least a study of halachot—at minimum Kitzur Shulchan Aruch or at least the laws collected by Derech HaChaim by the Gaon of Lisa, which are also 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 vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Mordechai. It is surprising that since they traveled I have received no news from him.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that just as one actively seeks material livelihood with effort and initiative, so too must one pursue spiritual growth—seeking opportunities for Torah study and communal involvement brings blessings both spiritually and materially.