Mr. Jeffrey Kimball, a lawyer and an active member of the Lubavitch community in Springfield, Mass., weighed the offer. Although it was no small investment, the profits seemed so secure that the banks had offered to lend him the 15 million dollars required without guarantors. Nevertheless, Mr. Kimball valued the Rebbe’s advice. Before signing the contract, he asked for a blessing.

The Rebbe’s reply consisted of two lengthy pages discussing the importance of adhering to a Torah lifestyle. “A Jew who fulfills G‑d’s commandments,” the Rebbe wrote, will merit Divine blessings for success in all his endeavors. At the bottom of the letter, after his signature, the Rebbe added a postscript: “Regarding the business offer it is not advisable.”

Mr. Kimball had his answer. Now it was his associates’ turn to ponder. How could he possibly turn down such a sound enterprise? Despite their insistence, Mr. Kimball trusted the Rebbe and did not make the investment.

Two years later, the soundness of the Rebbe’s reply became openly apparent. Mr. Kimball had been asked to make a long-term investment in Nicaragua. Despite the country’s previous stability, its government had been overthrown by Communist rebels and many foreign investments were nationalized.