6117 - Charity and Personal Commitment to All Mitzvos

The Rebbe writes that he was pleased to receive regards from the recipient through Harav HaChossid Shlomo Zalman Katzenelenbogen, together with the recipient’s monetary contribution. Since the donation arrived during the period when funds are being collected for Maos Chitim—the traditional charity distributed before Pesach to help needy families obtain food for the holiday—the contribution was directed to this fund for Kimcha d’Pischa, assistance with Pesach provisions.

The Rebbe adds that there is no need to elaborate at length about the importance of such a mitzvah, as the verse clearly states: “Halo pros l’ra’av lachmecha”—“Share your bread with the hungry” (Yeshayahu 58:7). At the same time, the verse continues, “u’mibsarecha lo tisallem”—“Do not ignore your own flesh.” In other words, while helping others is essential, one must not neglect oneself.

Although the mitzvah of tzedakah is exceedingly great and is considered equal to all the other mitzvos combined, every individual is nevertheless obligated to observe all 613 mitzvos. Even if one fulfills the great mitzvah of charity, there still remain the other mitzvos that must also be observed.

The Rebbe explains that the observance of mitzvos is itself beneficial to the person who fulfills them, and every Jew has been given the strength and ability to observe them. If this is true for every Jew, it is certainly true for someone who had the merit to study in the Yeshiva of Tomchei Temimim, as the Rebbe understands the recipient once did.

In the Yeshivos Tomchei Temimim, the Rebbeim invested tremendous spiritual energy and strength in the education of the students. They were the greatest and most experienced educators, and their method of education was designed so that its influence would remain recognizable and continue to have an impact even many years after a student had left the yeshiva.

The Rebbe therefore expresses confidence that the recipient certainly possesses the inner strength to return to and fully observe all aspects of Torah and mitzvos.

In this context, the Rebbe cites the teaching of our Sages: “Zrok chutra l’avira v’al ikrei kayei”—when a stick is thrown into the air, it ultimately falls back to its root. Likewise, a person ultimately returns to his spiritual roots.

The Rebbe concludes that it would give him great pleasure to receive reports from time to time about the recipient’s conduct in matters of Yiddishkeit. The recipient may write in whichever language is easiest for him or convey the information through others. The Rebbe ends with blessings for good health and good news in all of the above.

Summary
The Rebbe thanks the recipient for his charitable donation to the Maos Chitim fund while reminding him that the great mitzvah of tzedakah does not replace the obligation to observe all the mitzvos. Emphasizing the lasting influence of the Lubavitch Yeshiva education he received, the Rebbe encourages him to reconnect with his spiritual roots and strengthen his personal observance of Torah and mitzvos.