Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5736 [1976]
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 17th of Menachem Av etc. I will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good in the matters about which you write.
As I have mentioned it before to you, strengthening Bitochon [trust] in G-d, in addition to this being a basic tenet of our Torah, also increases and speeds G-d’s blessing in all needs. At the same time, the Bitochon minimizes, and indeed dispels, all anxieties and worries.
With regard to matters relating to the community, Chinuch [Jewish education], etc., you should discuss them with Askonim Yirei Shomayim [G-d fearing lay-leaders], who are familiar with the local situation—as I have also advised you this in the past.
Wishing you and yours a Kesiva vaChasimo Tovo [may you be written and sealed for good],
With blessing,
In the Days of Elul, 5737 [1977]
Blessing and Greeting:
I duly received your correspondence, and may G-d grant the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good.
Especially as we are now in the month of Elul, the auspiciousness and significance of which is explained by the Alter Rebbe [Rabbi Shneur Zalman], Founder of Chabad, in the well-known parable of “the King in the Field.”
Briefly, when a king, before entering his city and palace, is in the field, then the people of the city come out to greet the king, and then everyone who so desires can approach the king, and the king is especially gracious to all and shows them a smiling face.
Similarly the month of Elul is particularly auspicious to approach the King of Kings, the Holy One blessed be He; all that is necessary is to desire it.
Wishing you and yours a Kesivo vechasimo toivo, for a good and sweet year,
22nd of Elul, 5737 [1977]
Blessing and Greeting:
Your letter of July 29th reached me with considerable delay.
I trust you know that one of the basic teachings of our Torah, called Toras Chaim, because it is the Jew’s true guide in life, is to be strong in one’s faith in G-d, whose benevolent Providence extends to each and everyone individually. This in itself is a channel to receive G-d’s blessings, and reduces to a minimum all anxieties and worries.
At the same time, the Torah teaches also that one must do everything necessary in the natural order of things. Thus, in the matter of health, it is necessary to consult with, and follow, the advice of the doctor who is treating the person.
It is surely unnecessary to emphasize to you at length the need to strengthen adherence to the Will of G-d in the daily life and conduct in accordance with the teachings of the Torah. In addition to this being a must for its own sake, this is also the way to receive additional Divine blessings in all needs, including the matter of health and making other important decisions.
If you think that you need further enlightenment, in addition to the above guideline, you surely can speak with some of Chabad-Lubavitch people in your city.
With prayerful wishes to you and all yours for a Kesivo vaChasimo Tovo, for a good and sweet year, and
With blessing,
