This letter — and similar ones — was sent to several members of the Lubavitch community in France.

B”H, the first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar II, 5711,
Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your letter in which you inform me that you are traveling [as a fundraiser] on behalf of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, visiting several cities in France, and, in this way, earning your livelihood, and that an undesirable change was made regarding the offer that you had previously received regarding Ireland.1 You ask my advice.

My advice is that you continue your work on behalf of Tomchei Temimim. May it be G‑d’s will that you be successful in this and that it be [carried out] according to G‑d’s intent. As my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, told another person who would visit communities for such a purpose, one should not be satisfied with coming to these places and asking for and receiving material support. Instead, one should give, sowing seeds for spiritual [growth there].

As is well known, our Sages say2 that even those who can rightfully say about themselves, “I am sleeping in exile,” have hearts that are awake. This is particularly true when they are roused with chassidishe warmth and words coming from the heart.

With blessing,