ב"ה, כ"א שבט, תשי"ח
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
...במ"ש אודות עניני סטאקס, הנה למה לו להכנס בענינים של געמבלינג, והרי כמה דרכים למקום להמציא המצטרך לו מבלי ענינים של פזור הנפש כהנ"ל וכו'.
בטח שומר שיעורי חומש תהלים ותניא, ועכ"פ ישמור עליהם - בלי נדר - מכאן ולהבא.
בברכה לבשו"ט.
בשם כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א
מזכיר
Introduction
This audio recording discusses a letter written by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, found in Igros Kodesh, Volume 16, Letter 6,068, dated 21 Shevat 5718 (1958).
In this letter, the Rebbe responds to someone who wished to invest in the stock market in order to increase his income. The Rebbe’s response offers a striking perspective on financial risk, spiritual focus, and trust in Divine Providence.
The Letter
The Rebbe opens with “Shalom u’Berachah,” and addresses the writer’s intention to purchase stocks.
The Rebbe questions the very premise.
Why enter into matters of gambling?
In the letter, the Rebbe explicitly uses the Yiddish term for gambling. He characterizes this type of financial speculation as unnecessary risk that brings with it mental agitation and spiritual distraction.
The Rebbe writes that there are many pathways through which Hashem can provide a person’s livelihood. One does not need to pursue avenues that cause pizur hanefesh — a scattered or distracted state of mind and soul.
Livelihood comes from the Eibishter. It need not be accompanied by constant worry, emotional fluctuation, and preoccupation with market movements.
The Rebbe then reminds the writer to maintain the daily study cycle of Chitas — Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya — and encourages him to strengthen his commitment to these shiurim from now on, bli neder.
The letter concludes with blessings for good news.
Central Message
This letter conveys several important themes:
Financial speculation can create spiritual distraction.
Pizur hanefesh — inner scatteredness — weakens focus and tranquility.
Hashem has many channels through which to provide parnassa.
Spiritual consistency takes priority over speculative pursuits.
While stock investing has become common practice today, the Rebbe’s caution highlights a deeper concern: anything that unsettles the mind and distances a person from steady Torah study and inner calm deserves careful evaluation.
The letter reminds us that true security does not come from markets, but from trust in Hashem and disciplined spiritual living.