Giving and Lending Torah Books
Give Generously
It is customary to present a gift – books or manuscripts of Chassidus, texts that have already been published and are now being re-printed or works that are now being published for the first time. We should give them generously to everyone – men, women and children, and even infants ... We should distribute Sefarim in a generous manner. (Parshas Vayigash 5752; Sichos Kodesh p.487)
Indispensable Books
... In addition to books that are indispensable, such as a Siddur, Chumash, Tehilim and so forth. (Parshas Vayigash 5748; Hisva’aduyos p.173)
Note the teaching of our Sages (Kesuvos 50a), “The verse, ‘His righteousness stands forever,’ refers to one who writes books and then lends them to others.” (ibid, footnote 90)
Donating to the Library
... In keeping with the request issued on the instruction of the founder and director of the Library, namely, the Previous Rebbe; this occurred following the Library’s move to America. For one example among many, see Igros Kodesh, Admur Maharayatz, vol.11, p.395. (Parshas Vayigash 5748; Hisva’aduyos p.173)
Books Add to Divine Service
These books can also add to our divine service; as the Mishnah teaches, “All that Hashem created in His world, He created for His glory.” (ibid.)
Don’t Try This at Home
It is only that the use of these types of books is restricted to those who are able to utilize them in the proper manner, i.e., they know how to use them for the service of Hashem and His Torah. (Parshas Vayigash 5748; Hisva’aduyos p.173)
The Previous Rebbe was indeed asked about this, when it was discovered that his library included these sorts of books; seemingly, they involve the prohibition of Avodah Zarah (idol worship)... If so, these books fall under the command, “You must utterly detest it and utterly loathe it” (Devarim 7:26). Nevertheless, even these books are necessary for advancing the cause of holiness, by allowing us to fulfill the directive “Know what to answer a heretic (Apikorus),” as discussed on a number of occasions. (Parshas Vayigash 5752; Sichos Kodesh p.489)
The Rebbe Accepts Your Gift
Note that the donation of Sefarim and the like to a prestigious Library is in some ways similar to the Talmudic law regarding Kidushin (betrothal); “When the case [of betrothal] involves an important personality, then [although normally the man proposing would be required to give the woman a gift with monetary value, here, however,] from the very pleasure that the woman derives from the fact that this important figure has accepted her gift, she completely cedes herself to him.” (ibid.)
