ב"ה
March 8th, 1946
Mr. Julius Stulman,
171 West Street,
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Stulman:
After such a long silence it was really very nice to hear from you. In behalf of the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, and in my own name, I want to thank you for your very kind contribution of $2,500.00 for which our receipts are enclosed herewith.
This contribution is truly a timely help, in view of the very critical financial position with which the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch has been struggling for the past six months and still is. We are indeed gratified to note in your letter that it will be, G-d willing, the forerunner of substantial contributions in the future, for I need hardly say that you have come to be regarded by the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch as one of its main pillars of support.
I will conclude with a "Torah word" as is my custom.
We are going to read the portion of "Pekudey" this coming Shabbos, wherein Moses presents an account for all the contributions given toward the construction of the sanctuary in the desert. The portion begins with the words: "These are the accounts of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were rendered according to the commandment of Moses, etc."
Needless to say that G-d, the Creator of heaven and earth, could have created a sanctuary for Himself. However, G-d wanted to give Israel an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of the Divine Presence among them, of which the sanctuary was the emblem, through their wholehearted contributions towards the construction of the sanctuary, that is why it is called the "Tabernacle of Testimony," for it served as a testimony to the Jews' worthiness of G-d's Presence among them.
The Torah is eternal, now that the physical sanctuary is no longer extant, the Jewish people themselves form the spiritual sanctuary of G-d through the study of the Torah and the preservation of our traditions. The process of 'constructing the sanctuary' is now actually carried on by those, like you, who help maintain our institutions where the spirit of the Torah and tradition is continually fostered.
With kindest personal regards, and all good wishes,
Very sincerely yours,
M. Schneerson
Chairman, Executive Committee
