9617 —הפיכת עושר גשמי לרוחניות לתמיכת ישיבה

B"H, 20 Kislev 5729.

Brooklyn, NY.

To the community of Adas Yeshurun, lovers and supporters of Torah and mitzvah, may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

The Rebbe, my father-in-law, who was the active director of the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch since its founding, and later its president, and who transplanted the yeshiva to America twenty-nine years ago—where it has flourished and branched out in extraordinary ways with Hashem's help—transmitted a teaching from the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, whose day of redemption we have just celebrated. This teaching is especially significant not only in connection with Yud Tes Kislev but also with the upcoming annual celebration of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva (Chof Tes Teves): Jewish materiality is spirituality. The Almighty gives us material things so that we may transform them into spirituality.

Within these few words lies a profound lesson and timely directive regarding how a Jew should approach matters of charity in general, and support for yeshivas and educational institutions dedicated to holiness in particular: The entire connection Jews—a holy nation to Hashem—have to materiality is because Jewish materiality—as understood and attained by a Torah Jew—is essentially spiritual. And to spirituality a Jew has an especially strong connection. Therefore, the Almighty gives a Jew more material resources so that he may transform more of them into spirituality.

The highest form of spirituality is Torah study and observance of mitzvos, reaching up to attaining the level of "Know the G‑d of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and willing soul"—to understand G‑dliness and serve the Almighty with one's entire heart and good will, as illuminated in Chassidus—even serving Hashem through all aspects of daily life.

The strongest aspect of materiality is money—the fruit of a person's toil with all his strength. A Jew must therefore transform this strongest aspect of materiality into the highest aspect of spirituality.

In the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim this aforementioned teaching from the Alter Rebbe finds its fullest practical expression. Supporting this institution—a fortress of Torah and Chassidus—is therefore one of the best ways to fulfill this directive from the Alter Rebbe.

Now that Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim is preparing for its annual celebration, it is hoped that all lovers of Torah—and especially those active on behalf of or friends with the yeshiva—will make a special effort to ensure the success of this endeavor.

The more each individual gives from their material resources—money as well as effort and time—and transforms these into spirituality—Torah study, service, and acts of kindness—the more material blessings Hashem will grant them from His full, open, holy, and expansive hand; He will grant success in both materiality and spirituality to each person and their household.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that by supporting Torah institutions materially—with money, effort, or time—we elevate our physical resources into true spirituality. This transformation brings increased blessings from Hashem in both our physical needs and spiritual growth.