6565 —נתינת פרוטות לצדקה בלי נדר, וקירוב לאנ"ש עד להשפיע על הסביבה, והכנה לחדש כסלו

B"H, 23 Marcheshvan, 5719

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

... As to what you write about Mr. ..., may he live, concerning the coins for charity, that sometimes he forgets or is not at home: I believe I have already written to him explicitly that this should be done "without a vow" (see Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 203:4). If he did not do so, he should have the matter annulled before three (see Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 228:1), and from now on he should do it without a vow. It is also understood that in the matter of charity the point is not to put the coins immediately into a charity box or to give them at once to a poor person; if neither of these is at hand, one may put the money in a special envelope and the like, and all this is possible even while traveling, etc. Surely you will also arrange with him the second matter you mention in your letter, which is of course more important.

May it be G‑d's will that the above-mentioned not only draw closer, but become included among Anash in all his affairs, in a manner of מוסיף והולך "increasing steadily" (Shabbos 21b), until he is טופח על מנת להטפיח "moist enough to moisten others," in his surroundings too and beyond.

Surely you are preparing in good time a detailed program to make use of the days of the month of redemption and miracles, the month of Kislev (see Hayom Yom, 10 Kislev; Hayom Yom, 19 Kislev), and especially the auspicious days of Yud and Yud-Tes Kislev and Chanukah, for strengthening Judaism in general, and in particular for spreading the wellsprings until they reach חוצה "outward" (Mishlei 5:16; the Baal Shem Tov's Igeres HaKodesh). May it be G‑d's will that it be with great success.

With blessing for good news in all the above.

Publisher's notes

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 14, p. 260.

Summary

This letter instructs that coins set aside for charity be pledged "without a vow," and that a vow already made be annulled, noting that the money may wait in a special envelope when no charity box or poor person is at hand. It blesses an acquaintance to become part of Anash and to influence others, and calls for a detailed plan for the month of Kislev.