Efforts to circulate letters from the Previous Rebbe to Jewish soldiers serving in the British army and to Jews in Europe

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A clarification of the value of eighteen Polish gulden, the sum the Alter Rebbe suggests donating to charity to redeem a day of fasting undertaken for teshuvah

No. 198

This letter is addressed to Mr. Alexander Cohen.

28 Elul, 5705, Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

In the name of Kehot and in my own name, I would like to wish you and your entire [household] a good and sweet year with success in all your endeavors.

The literal meaning of the name Rosh HaShanah is "head of the year. Our sages[237] explain that the holiday is called Rosh HaShanah, and not "the beginning of the year," because just as the head directs the functioning of the entire body; so, too, the good resolutions and [desirable] conduct we take upon ourselves on Rosh HaShanah must direct [the outcome of] the entire year.

This year Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbos. The concept of Shabbos is that a person lifts himself above his ordinary weekday concerns and comes closer to [living] a spiritual life.

This is our wish for the new year: May we all proceed in our spiritual undertakings, bringing the body closer to the soul and carrying out all our positive thoughts in our actual conduct.

With blessings for a kesivah vachasimah tovah,

Menachem M. Schneerson

Executive Director

   

Notes:

237. (Back to text) Likkutei Torah, Devarim, p. 41c, et al.

Efforts to circulate letters from the Previous Rebbe to Jewish soldiers serving in the British army and to Jews in Europe

Table of contents

Search this book:

A clarification of the value of eighteen Polish gulden, the sum the Alter Rebbe suggests donating to charity to redeem a day of fasting undertaken for teshuvah