2417 —המעלה של הלואות לעניים ולעשירים

B"H, 18 Shevat, 5714. Brooklyn.

Chevra Gemilus Chassadim Shomrei Shabbos, headed by Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z etc. Moreinu HaRav Yochanan Gordon

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter informing me of your upcoming annual gathering on Sunday, Parshas Im Kesef Talveh (about which our Sages in Mechilta say it is an obligation). I also enjoyed reading in your letter about the number of loans you have made this year. Certainly, as with all matters of holiness—and as mentioned above that it is an obligation—you will ascend in holiness and increase this in the coming year.

It is well known that the virtue of lending applies both to the poor and to the wealthy. May it be G‑d's will that poverty cease from among us and that only loans to the wealthy will remain necessary.

As my participation in your Gemilus Chassadim fund, I am enclosing herewith a check—a loan for your Gemilus Chassadim fund. With a blessing that what our Sages said (Tanchuma in its place) be fulfilled for all participants: "He who lends to G‑d shows kindness to the poor; it is as if he lends to the Holy One Blessed Be He," and therefore his reward will be repaid by Him—in His manner, which is many times over and in a good and joyful way specifically.

With blessings for success in your holy work,

Summary

The Rebbe encourages supporting communal funds that lend to both poor and wealthy alike, emphasizing this mitzvah's ongoing importance and blessing participants with abundant Divine reward for their acts of kindness.