6978 —אישור תכנית הלוואה בנקאית עבור חובות המסים של כפר חב"ד

B"H, 20 Menachem Av, 5719. Brooklyn.

Vaad Kfar Chabad in Eretz HaKodesh may Hashem be upon them, may they live.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter and its enclosure, in which you write regarding the issue of taxes and the extremely strained financial situation. You propose that a bank grant long-term loans (relatively speaking) to members who owe debts, thereby enabling them to pay their debts to the village committee.

Certainly you have already clarified that the bank's terms are appropriate, and your intention is for the bank where the funds from electricity are deposited. If so, considering the severe financial situation and also the good will of every single resident of Kfar Chabad to contribute to strengthening and developing the village—which obviously and simply includes paying taxes and debts in general—the proposal is correct, up to a total sum of six thousand lira, with the electricity funds as collateral. However, this must be exactly as proposed: this is not a loan from those funds themselves; rather, the bank is the lender and collector, and the aforementioned electricity funds serve only as collateral.

It is also understood that everything must certainly be arranged efficiently; that is, the committee or its representative should join with those for whom it suffices that they see this letter—who are officially connected with the electricity funds—and together they should prepare a list of borrowers for debt repayment as well as set conditions and methods of payment, etc.

On a related note—even though I am not aware here of the details regarding taxes or how they are calculated—G‑d willing I will also personally participate in the tax collection fund. Enclosed is my check for the sabbatical year 5719—a full year including its leap month.

May it be G‑d's will that in exchange for these aforementioned taxes—which everyone should pay with joy and gladness of heart—there be expanded livelihood and broadened understanding now and in the future. May every resident of Kfar Chabad fulfill within himself "and he bent his shoulder to bear and became a tribute servant" (Bereishis Rabbah 99:10), along with its inner meaning regarding taxes: that this service brings about an ascent infinitely higher as explained in Chassidus (see Tzt"z notes on Eichah 1:1; see also Zohar I 242b).

With blessings for success in all their matters—both communal and individual—which are interdependent and mutually supportive; and for good tidings revealed in visible goodness, with true success and expansion materially and spiritually.

It would be proper that by the auspicious day of Chai Elul approaching, you send here a list of all those who have paid all their debts and taxes, those who have paid partially, with reasons etc.

Summary

The Rebbe approves a structured bank loan plan using electricity funds as collateral to help Kfar Chabad residents pay tax debts. He emphasizes efficient organization, personal responsibility, spiritual growth through communal obligations, and wishes everyone material and spiritual success.