This letter was sent to R. Yochanan Gordon, the gabbai of 770.

B”H, 13 Nissan, 5711
The yahrzeit of the Tzemach TzedekBrooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

When looking at your involvement in several matters which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, delegated to you, I take pleasure in seeing that you are continuing your positive activities in these areas. You will certainly add to them with increased efforts and, undoubtedly, G‑d will give you the powers necessary for this, because “the Holy One, blessed be He, does not come to His created beings with excessive demands.”1

It is well known that the health of a Jew’s body is dependent on the Torah and its mitzvos. Not only will involvement in them not harm a person’s health, Heaven forbid, it will strengthen the health of the one involved and that of his family.

As is well known, our Sages stated (Bava Basra 92b): “The wine belongs to the owner, but thanks are due to the butler [who served it].” The Tzemach Tzedek, whose yahrzeit is being celebrated, explains2 that, nevertheless, concerning entities who do not possess free choice and are nothing more than “an axe in the hands of a chopper,” it is not appropriate to say that “thanks are due the butler.”3 Therefore the worship of the stars and the constellations is forbidden because they are nothing more than “an axe in the hand of a chopper.” By contrast, concerning a Jew, who possesses free choice, it is appropriate to say that “thanks are due the butler.” [This applies] even if without his involvement, the mitzvah would have been performed by another person.4 (See the lengthy elucidation of this concept in Derech Mitzvosecha, mitzvas milah, the end of sec. 3.)

How much more so does the above apply with regard to the mitzvos with which you are involved; e.g., maamad,5 maos chittim,6 serving as the gabbai for the Lubavitch shul, thepublications! When it comes to spiritual matters, everyone can have an influence on his fellowman. Thus the “butler” is not merely an intermediary, but also a source of influence who motivates his fellowman to the observance of a mitzvah. [For this,] his reward is great. To a greater extent, the above applies to [inspiring others to give] tzedakah, in which instance his actions are called maaseh hatzedakah, and [our Sages say,]7 “One who influences others to act [maaseh] is greater than one who acts.” [Maaseh] implies [even] compelling the other person, as our Sages say:8 “We compel people to give tzedakah.” (See also the maamar entitled VeAvdi David in the kuntres published for Shavuos, 5708, p. 27.)9 Now if [our Sages] say that one who gives tzedakah derives benefit from [the mitzvah] in this world but the principal remains intact for the World to Come,10 how much more so does this apply to someone who influences others to give. For he is a ready conduit to draw down and to receive G‑d’s blessing and the promise given by the Holy One, blessed be He:11 “Test Me please in this… I will pour out for you blessings without limit.” May this be realized in a straightforward manner in ample [blessings for] children, health, and sustenance.

May G‑d bless you and your wife with good health, ample sustenance, and plentiful Yiddishe and chassidishe nachas12 from all your descendants.

With blessings for a kosher and a happy holiday and for continued good health at all times.