This letter was sent to R. Menachem Nachum Auerbach, the secretary of Congregation Bnei Yisrael in Chicago.

ב"ה,
26 Tammuz, 5711,
Brooklyn.

Greetings and blessings,

Via the chassidic communal leader, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht, I received your pan1 foryour son Meir Zaev who is presently in Korea.2

When I visit the gravesite of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע,3 I will read your pan. May it be G‑d’s will that you be able to share good news with me very soon.

I see that you are listed as the secretary on the stationary of the Bnei Yisrael Synagogue. Certainly, as is the custom throughout the United States, the secretary is the active force [and the source] of vitality for the synagogue; the energy and life-force of the synagogue is dependent on him.

In particular, what is most important is the spiritual life of the synagogue: whether there are public study sessions in the synagogue and what is the nature of the prayer services on the nights following (i.e., Motzaei) Shabbos and festivals. Certainly, it is superfluous to motivate you regarding the importance of this matter. Nevertheless, I [am doing so,] relying on our Sages’ dictum:4 “One only motivates the eager.”

I would like to call your attention to the great importance of reciting the daily portion of Tehillim (as divided according to the monthly cycle) every day after the Morning Service. [Also,] you should endeavor that the Evening Service on Saturday night be conducted in a manner that will not lead to the desecration of the Shabbos. Also of great importance is to make sure that the mourners5 who come to [the shul to] recite Kaddish also put on tefillin.Many times, this is the way to habituate them to put on tefillin throughout their lives. There are many details of this nature that you, as one who knows the local situation and the character of the congregants, can appreciate on site. Through such details, you can increase the vitality of the synagogue and those who pray there, making them “live Jews.” And, to cite the adage of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, “G‑d does not remain a debtor.” He repays “measure for measure,”6 granting long life and an increase in life for all those who work in the above matters, that they and the members of their households be blessed through “the lamp of mitzvah, the light of the Torah, and the path of life”7 in everything that they need.

You will certainly inform me of good news about your son. I will conclude with good wishes for all the congregants. Tell them that our Sages called a synagogue “a sanctuary in microcosm.”8 Conduct that is befitting “a sanctuary in microcosm” prepares us for, and precipitates, the hastening of the building of the Third Beis HaMikdash by Mashiach.

With blessing,

Enclosed is a receipt for your donation that was given to Lishkas Chasha’in.9 Gifts [given in this manner] represent one of the highest levels of gifts to charity.