This letter was addressed to R. Rafael Baruch Toledano, the Rabbi of Meknes, a city in Morocco where R. Michael Lipsker1 had begun Lubavitch activities.

B”H, 14 Tammuz, 5710

With abundant greetings and blessings,

The telegram you sent reached me as signed by you and our mutual friend, the man of manifold activities, [carrying out] the works of Chiyya,2 R. Michael Lipsker, with blessings for the Festival of Redemption of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ. Anyone who conveys blessings will be blessed himself3 with the blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He, in which instance, the additional measure exceeds their source.4 The Rebbe [Rashab,] (the father of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ,) explains (in his testament entitled Chanoch LeNaar,)5 that [these blessings] draw down the light from G‑d’s infinity which transcends the spiritual cosmos.

In addition to drawing down all the influence which exists in the source Above, because it removes all the blocks and hindrances, it also generates a new will [Above]. You are granted new life, blessing, and peace in all of your affairs. Amen, so may it be G‑d’s will.

Similarly, I have been given happy tidings that you will do everything in your power to obtain an entry visa to your country for Rabbi Benyamin Gorodetzky,6 one of the veteran students of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, and his emissary.

It is unnecessary to explain to a person such as yourself how important it is to hurry this matter.

The Alter Rebbe elaborates on the great advantage of eagerness7 with regard to every matter associated with mitzvos, and supports the concept by citing “the eagerness [manifested by] our Patriarch Avraham.” That [eagerness] “is the merit that stands us and our descendants in good stead for time everlasting. For the binding [of Yitzchak] itself cannot be considered such a great test when compared to the level of Avraham our Patriarch” ([Tanya,] Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 21).8

How much more so does the importance and the necessity of the attribute of eagerness apply with regard to education, and in particular, the education of young Jewish children! This is especially relevant in times of difficulty and stress like the present, the generation when Mashiach’s approaching footsteps can be heard,9 when “there is no day that...,”10 a time of redoubled darkness, when the darkness of exile is increasing. As my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, explained,11 before dawn, the darkness of the night is greatest. For the Torah alone is our life. And its study in its most widespread dissemination, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and in particular, the study of pnimiyus HaTorah, the light of the Torah and its shining dimension, is an elixir of life12 that strengthens all those who study it, involve themselves in it, and work on its behalf until G‑d will, with kindness and mercy, break the yoke of exile. Israel will [then] be redeemed with charity.13 This includes the charity that grants life to those who are poor — i.e., [poor in knowledge, as our Sages said:]14 “The true definition of a poor man is one who is poor in knowledge.” (Because of the darkness of exile, there are those who err and think that their lack [in knowledge] is not poverty.) And, [as a result of the above, G‑d] will lead us upright to our land, [headed by] our righteous Mashiach, speedily in our days. Amen.

To conclude with an explanation of the words of Torah: Since the concept of [giving] charity at night15 was mentioned, I will explain a [relevant] point. I was one asked16 with regard to the statement in the text Nagid U’Mitzaveh (Tefillas Shacharis) that “night is not a time fit [to give] tzedakah.” Seemingly, since night is a time when the attributes of Gevurah17 [prevail], it would be appropriate to give tzedakah in order to “sweeten them,” bringing food to one’s home.18

See the conclusion of the Sefer Shaarei Tefillah [compiled] by R. Yaakov Rokeach (Liorno, 5630) [which deals with this question].

May your health and your Torah be increased, and may your days in your position, a position of holiness, be extended in an abundance of good.

Wishing you all types of good and awaiting good tidings,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson