This letter was addressed to R. Shmaya Krinsky, a ritual slaughterer from Boston.

B”H, 24 Iyar, 5708

Greetings and blessings,

With this letter, I would like to present the bearer of this letter, the distinguished chassid R. M. HaKohen,with whom I am acquainted for many years. I am extending a doubled request that to the full extent of your capacity, you assist him in obtaining the certificates that he requires according to the agreement with my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, as he will verbally explain to you. It is self-understand that you have no responsibility for wages [for him].

In this week’s Torah reading in Likkutei Torah, in the maamar entitled BeShivri Lachem, it is explained that the [Torah’s] words of rebuke1 are in truth only blessings. It is written:2 “One man will stumble over his brother.” Our Sages (Sh’vuos 39a) interpret this as meaning that [a person will stumble] “because of the sin committed by his colleague. For all of Israel share mutual responsibility.” It is possible to explain the blessing implied: that everyone can aid his colleague because they share mutual responsibility and are interrelated. [Such assistance is offered] willingly, because all of Israel are sweet and pleasant to one another, as reflected in the three interpretations of our Sages’ statement that all of Israel share mutual responsibility as cited in Chassidus.3In particular, the reward for granting such assistance is great. As our Sages comment in Vayikra Rabbah, in last week’s parshah:4“More than the donor does for the poor man, [the poor man does for the donor],” bringing him assistance in that very matter.

With hopes to hear good news from you with regard to the above and with greetings to all those dependent on you,

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson