Cashing in on the checks received during Tishrei; Dancing from Simchas Torah to Shabbos Bereishis; Wife’s support in communal activities
By the Grace of G-d
6th of Cheshvan, 5741
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. Shneur Zalman Jaffe
105 Cavendish Road
Salford, Lancs. M7 ONB
England
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to confirm receipt of your correspondence, and many thanks for the good news that businesswise, and I trust that by now also healthwise, everything is in good order.
Being a practical and successful businessman, you surely follow the practice of cashing in promptly all the checks you receive. I mention this apropos of the well known saying of my father-in-law of saintly memory that following the month of Tishrei and coming back "home" to start the daily routine of the new year, every Jew should "unpack" all the spiritual baggage he has brought with him, putting everything [in] its proper place.
Source: Photocopy of the original.
Mr. Shneur Zalmon Jaffe (5673–5760), was a businessman in Manchester, England, who came from a Lubavitcher family. On the advice of Rabbi Bentzion Shemtov, he began a correspondence with the Rebbe, the start of a close relationship that spanned the next four decades, with Mr. Jaffe becoming a key Lubavitch activist and supporter. Mr. Jaffe received nearly 200 letters and would visit the Rebbe at least once a year. At the Rebbe's behest, he documented his visits and correspondence in his annual journal "My Encounter with the Rebbe שליט"א." His correspondence with the Rebbe were collected and published in a book titled Mr. Manchester, and are available on the Rebbe Responsa app.
See Sefer HaSichos 5699, p. 349. It is worth noting that the Jaffes had just returned to England after spending Sukkos with the Rebbe.
And since the month of Tishrei, which is so rich and sated with spiritual content, concludes with Zman Simchoseinu which, in turn, concludes with Simchas Torah, and — this year — the Jew danced straight from Simchas Torah into Shabbos Bereishis, I am confident that you have started your activities on this note of joy, both at home, and in your synagogue, and in your community at large, as well as in the United Kingdom — in each place to the fullest extent of your ability.
And as we read in the Sedra Bereishis about G-d giving Adam "a help to match him" (Ezer k'negdo), I am certain that Mrs. Jaffe is giving you her fullest help and support in all above.
I am looking forward to receiving good and ever better news from you and all yours,
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
That year Simchas Torah fell out on a Friday.
Bereishis 2:18.
