6091 - Charitable Commitment and Communal Reflection

Lesson on Igros Kodesh, Volume 16, Letter #6,091

In this letter, written on the 5th of Adar, 5718, the Rebbe addresses Yosef Flyer of Chicago. The Rebbe acknowledges receiving correspondence and a Pidyon Nefesh (redemption of soul note), assuring to mention the recipient and his family at the holy Tziyun (resting place) of the Previous Rebbe for blessings in all their needs.

A major focus of this letter is the Rebbe’s guidance on financial faith and communal responsibility.

The Power of Pledging Above One’s Ability The Rebbe expresses great pleasure upon reading that Yosef intended to follow through on a pledge to purchase rooms for institutions in Chicago, despite it being financially difficult for him at the time. The Rebbe brings a profound teaching from his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe:

When a Jewish person pledges charity with a benevolent hand—meaning, it appears to him that this is beyond his abilities, and he is pledging more than he actually has the ability to give—at that exact point, they open up from Above a new pipeline for your earnings, for your parnassa (livelihood), so that you should be able to fulfill this promise.

Essentially, the opening of the pipeline of funding comes after the commitment is made.

Serving with Joy in Adar Furthermore, the Rebbe emphasizes that because G-d commands us to "Serve Hashem with Simcha" (joy), this new pipeline of livelihood will not just be functional, but will arrive in a way that brings joy and happiness. Given that this letter was written in the month of Adar, a time commanded to increase in joy, the Rebbe highlights this as an auspicious time for blessings to arrive in abundance, mirroring the miracles of Purim.

Communal Reflection and the "Atomic Age" Finally, the Rebbe tasks Yosef with a specific communal mission. Yosef had sent the Rebbe a photocopy of a letter the Previous Rebbe had written to him 15 years prior (in 5703). The Rebbe urges Yosef to share this letter with the Anash (community of chasidim) in Chicago.

The Rebbe points out that 15 years is a significant amount of time, especially in the modern era, which he refers to as the "Atomic Age"—a time of rapid technological and scientific change. He urges the community to reflect on what has been accomplished in the direction of the Previous Rebbe's instructions over those 15 years, and what needs to be done moving forward. As the recipient of this valuable historical letter, the Rebbe charges Yosef with the responsibility of ensuring the community acts upon its message.