Strengthening Faith and Action Amid Financial Struggles

Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 15, Letter 5415.

As is well known, many people turned to the Rebbe in times of difficulty, asking for a brachah. Whether the challenge was personal, financial, or otherwise, they sought Hashem’s help through the Rebbe, the tzaddik. And of course, the Rebbe blessed everyone.

In this letter, dated Baruch Hashem, the first of Iyar, 5714, Brooklyn, the Rebbe writes to Rav HaChassid Moreinu Menachem Zev HaLevi Greenglass of Montreal. Rabbi Greenglass was one of the leading figures of the Lubavitcher yeshivah and institutions there. Apparently, he had written to the Rebbe on behalf of someone experiencing serious financial hardship and requested a blessing for him.

The Rebbe begins by noting that he is responding to a delayed letter—the delay referring to delivery time, not to his response. In that letter, Rabbi Greenglass described an individual whose livelihood was not as it should be and who had also suffered a robbery. Naturally, the person was under great financial strain and sought the Rebbe’s blessing.

Whenever someone requested a blessing, he would take their note with him to the resting place, the tziyon, of his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe. He would go there at designated auspicious times, an eis ratzon, and pray on their behalf. Here too, the Rebbe writes that he will mention this individual and his family at the holy tziyon, based on what was written.

The Rebbe then asks Rabbi Greenglass to convey an important teaching of our sages on the verse in Devarim: “Aser te’aser”—“you shall surely tithe.” The double expression is understood by Chazal to mean: “Aser bishvil shetisasher”—give tithes so that you will become wealthy.

The message is clear: giving tzedakah is not a loss, but an investment that draws blessing and prosperity.

Therefore, the Rebbe explains, if a person feels that his livelihood is insufficient, the solution is not to reduce charitable giving, but to increase it—even beyond what he had previously been accustomed to giving. One might think that in a time of financial pressure one should cut back, but the opposite is true. Increasing tzedakah is the channel through which additional blessing flows.

Even if one has already given what is required, if he now seeks greater abundance, he should give more. Certainly, if there had already been room to increase beforehand, he should do so now.

However, the Rebbe emphasizes that this must not be done begrudgingly. It should be given with joy and gladness of heart, trusting the Creator to fulfill His promise.

Generally, we are not permitted to “test” Hashem by performing a mitzvah on condition of receiving reward. But with tzedakah it is different. Hashem explicitly allows this, as it says: “U’v’chanuni na bazos… va’harikoti lachem brachah”—“Test Me in this… and I will pour out for you blessing.” The blessing will be so abundant—ad beli dai—beyond all measure.

Thus, the Rebbe reiterates: if one seeks to improve his financial condition, he should increase his tzedakah, not decrease it.

Regarding the robbery, the Rebbe cites a known teaching from the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, and the Tzemach Tzedek: after a person experiences loss or damage, there follows a revelation of Divine compassion—even greater than ordinary kindness.

In the order of the sefiros, chesed (kindness) is followed by gevurah (restriction or severity), and then tiferes (beauty), which represents compassion. This level of compassion is associated with Yaakov Avinu, to whom Hashem promised an inheritance without boundaries—an unlimited blessing.

So when one experiences gevurah—a difficult or painful event—he should anticipate the next stage: tiferes, a greater and more expansive compassion.

Still, for Divine blessing to be revealed, one must create proper “vessels.” These vessels are formed through Torah and mitzvos performed properly and with joy.

The Rebbe then offers practical guidance. In addition to increasing tzedakah, the individual should establish fixed times for studying Chassidus Chabad—the teachings for which the Rebbe’s father-in-law devoted and sacrificed his life.

Specifically, the Rebbe suggests studying Chassidus on Shabbos, as well as on Mondays and Thursdays. Even if the weekday sessions are shorter, they should still be maintained.

Additionally, it is especially appropriate to follow the established custom of reciting the daily portion of Tehillim, divided according to the days of the month, after morning prayers. All of these commitments should be undertaken bli neder, without a formal vow.

Finally, the Rebbe addresses the individual’s wife. He assumes that she follows the longstanding custom of Jewish women, B’nos Yisrael HaKesheros, to give tzedakah before lighting candles on Erev Shabbos and Erev Yom Tov. However, if this has not yet been her practice, she should begin doing so from now on, with blessings for good news in all of the above.

In summary, the Rebbe’s response addresses both sides of the situation. For financial hardship, the instruction is to increase tzedakah, trusting in Hashem’s promise of abundant blessing. For the experience of theft, the Rebbe encourages the individual to expect an even greater revelation of Divine compassion.

At the same time, the Rebbe emphasizes strengthening one’s spiritual vessels: regular study of Chassidus, reciting Tehillim, and maintaining the mitzvah of tzedakah—including the custom observed by the wife.

Through these actions, the individual can draw down blessing, abundance, and good news.