This letter was addressed to “our friends, the members of the chassidic brotherhood in every place they are found; may G‑d bless them.”

B”H, Purim Katan, 5711,
Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

Colel Chabad/Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes,1 was founded by the Alter Rebbe and established with self-sacrifice. Afterwards, all of our holy Rebbeim who served as heads of the Colel in each [subsequent] generation strove exceedingly to strengthen it and maintain it. At present, [the Colel] is in difficult straits:

Among his other statements, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, [used] these words in his last message on behalf of the Colel while in this realm — delivered nineteen days before his passing:

Each and every member of the chassidic brotherhood has an obligation to remember at every time and on every occasion the mitzvah of [giving] to the charitable fund of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes concerning which we were commanded by our holy Rebbeim. This is the personal responsibility of every man and woman and it applies in every place and every time, fixed for all generations. Similarly, the holy blessings... of our revered Rebbeim which are designated for all those who strengthen this charitable fund are established and in effect at all times.

Certainly, these holy words are engraved upon the hearts of the members of the chassidic brotherhood. I have come only to encourage those who are eager,2 as an additional measure, to advance further in holy matters, so that those who, due to whatever reason, do not yet have a tzedakah pushka from the fund of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes-Colel Chabad, should hurry, bring it, and establish it in their homes. All those who have pushkas from the fund of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes-Colel Chabad, the directors of the Colel, its members, those who act on its behalf, and those who respond — every one of the above — should add strength to his support for Colel Chabad so that the Colel can fulfill its purpose and mission as appropriate to the needs of the moment.

This charity is great, [possessing the power to] arouse sublime kindness that will draw down active blessings to all who participate in it on behalf of themselves and the members of their households with regard to all of their material and spiritual needs.

With blessings for both material and spiritual good,

M. Schneerson