Timing of upcoming dinner; Every Jew is attached to Hashem to the highest degree of Mesiras Nefesh; Tangible expression; Emulate Your Shul’s namesake
By the Grace of G-d
16 Shevat, 5745
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. Shmuel Eliezer Selfon, President
Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch
1295 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Hallandale, FL 33009
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 8 Shevat, with enclosures. Many thanks for the good news it contained about the progress of the Congregation and forthcoming events, including the fourth annual dinner set for the 26th of Shevat.
Significantly, the event is taking place immediately after Shabbos Parshas Shekalim, the theme of which is the half-shekel contribution "To make atonement for your souls" (םכ יתושפנ לע רפכל).
One of the eternal lessons of this annual contribution of the half shekel - neither more nor less, by rich and poor alike, is that every Jew - rich and poor, scholar and layman is equally dear to HaShem - because deep in one’s heart and soul every Jew is attached to HaShem, to the highest degree of Mesiras-Nefesh for His Torah and Mitzvos.
The half-shekel is certainly no measure of a Jew’s devotion to HaShem. But HaShem requested a tangible expression of it in terms of money, to show how a Jew, every Jew, is capable of converting a silver coin into a matbe’a shel esh, a "fiery coin," similar to the one HaShem showed to Moshe Rabbeinu, as the Medrash explains.
My father of saintly memory, after whom your congregation is named, exemplified such real Mesiras-Nefesh for the preservation of Yiddishkeit under the most trying conditions, suffering persecution and exile, and inspiring many Jews to follow his example. Here in the U. S. A. etc. G-d gave us the possibility to practice all this without any difficulties at all and many times - even with the encouragement of the environment. Therefore, I trust and am sure each and all members and friends of Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch will be continuously inspired, too, to help make the Congregation a model of what a Jewish congregation should be like.
May you proceed in this direction from strength to strength, in continuous growth and fruit-bearing, in keeping with the message of the New Year For Trees which we just observed.
With blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings
M. Schneerson
P.S. Enclosed is receipt for the contribution to the Yud Shevat Fund. May the Zechus of it bring you, each and all of you, additional Divine blessings in a generous measure.
