Solicitation of donations for printing chassidic texts; the need to go beyond the measure of the law

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Instructions regarding donations for publishing chassidic texts

No. 281

This letter was addressed to the Dalfon brothers from Montreal who pledged to pay a portion of the costs of the publication of the sichos of the Previous Rebbe.

B"H, 13 Menachem Av, 5707

Greetings and blessings,

I was in Europe for several months and for that reason I was prevented from writing to you until now. A while ago, the Sefer HaSichos [containing the talks] of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, for which you undertook to pay the publication costs in memory of your brother Shlomo, was published.

I feel that there is no need for me to elaborate on the merit that you have for making possible the publication of Sefer HaSichos and the great elevation this accomplishes for the sake of the soul of the departed. I would, however, like to mention one point that has parallels with many other mitzvos.

Our Sages relate[194] that the reward for most of the mitzvos is not manifest in this [material] world. Based on the statements of the Alter Rebbe in Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 3, the explanation for this concept is that the reward is too great to be contained in this world.

This applies to the majority of the mitzvos. There are, however, certain mitzvos which involve sharing goodness with others in this world. These mitzvos possess a twofold advantage -- [they are] "good for heaven and good for the created beings."[195] In that instance, in addition to the reward one receives for the first type of mitzvos, based on the principle "measure for measure,"[196] one receives reward even in this material world.

By making possible the publication of Sefer HaSichos, you made a text that contains Torah and ethical [teachings] accessible to thousands of people. Among a significant number of them, it will motivate change, [helping them] find the proper path and resolving their problems in this world.

Accordingly, not only will this enable the principal to remain for the World to Come, its fruit will be manifest in this world, with abundant material and spiritual good.

With the blessing "Immediately to teshuvah, immediately to Redemption,"

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

To illustrate the concepts stated [regarding the first type of mitzvos] in the letter with an example: There was a great king who ruled over the entire world. Once he left his palace and met a young child, named Yisrael. He asked him to find the appropriate diamond for his crown so that the crown would be truly complete and perfect for the Jubilee celebration of his coronation. Yisrael accomplished this. He abandoned his toys, and found and brought this special stone. Immediately, it was set in the crown. The king wore it for the coronation anniversary and everyone marveled at its beauty.

As a reward for the child, it was decreed that when he would come of age, he would be made the highest court official, above all others.

On the following day, Yisrael did not find his food at the appropriate time. He began to cry: "I was able to bring the jewels for the king, and yet he has not cared to see to it that my food was not delayed." Nevertheless, when he grew up, he understood that the true reward was that he would be appointed as the viceroy. The analogue is obvious.

In continuation of the above, an analogy can be drawn with regard to the second category of mitzvos: The king asked Yisrael to perform a favor for him personally, to provide food for the king's children. Yisrael dropped all his own interests and fulfilled the king's request.

Accordingly, as a reward, in addition to receiving recompense for carrying out the request of the King of kings, Yisrael did not stand aside when others received their food through his efforts. Instead, he also was seated at the table [with them]. The analogue to this is also clear.

   

Notes:

194. (Back to text) [Kiddushin 39b.]

195. (Back to text) [Ibid. 40a.]

196. (Back to text) [Sanhedrin 90a.]

Solicitation of donations for printing chassidic texts; the need to go beyond the measure of the law

Table of contents

Search this book:

Instructions regarding donations for publishing chassidic texts