By the Grace of G-d
7th of Tammuz, 5742
Brooklyn, N.Y.
*
Mr. ...
New York, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
...P.S. I noted with special interest your P.S. about your project involving oil and gas exploration in the Land of Israel. As you know of course, the need for it has become enormously urgent in recent years, so that it is of vital importance.
In keeping with an old Jewish custom to connect matters which do not seem to have a connection on the surface, I take this opportunity to share with you the following thought on the connection between your P.S. and the main body of your letter.
It is based on the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov, which has often been quoted by my father-in-law of saintly memory in connection with the verse, “And you shall be unto Him a desirable land” (Mal. 3:12). The Baal Shem Tov explains that the earth is the repository of the greatest natural resources such as oil, gas, metals, gems and so on. Similarly, in spiritual terms, every Jew is the possessor of the highest spiritual qualities, which are sometimes on or near the surface, sometimes deeper below. It is only necessary to discover them, refine them and polish them, to obtain the most desirable and delightful treasures. And the Baal Shem Tov concluded: “I want to help Jews produce these treasures which Hashem has implanted in each of them.” (Hayom Yom p. 54).
