By the Grace of G-d 12th of Elul, 5728 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

It is quite some time since your previous letter. However, I trust that in the meantime you have advanced in strength to strength both spiritually and materially, which go hand in hand together, and insofar as a Jew is concerned — with the preponderance of the spiritual over the material. This means, above all, the daily conduct in accordance with the Torah and Mitzvoth, as explained in the Shulchan Aruch, starting the day, right after arising from bed, with prayer and Tefillin, and thus creating the channels to receive G-d’s blessings in all material needs.

The present days are particularly auspicious, as you have no doubt heard about the parable by which the Alter Rebbe explains the significance of the month of Elul. This is it briefly:

When a king is in his palace, it is not so easy to approach him in person and deliver a petition. On the other hand, when the king goes out in the field to meet his people, everybody can easily approach him, even in work clothes, and present a petition to him personally, which the king accepts and grants graciously.

Similarly, the month of Elul, the last month of the year, has been set aside as a period of special Divine grace, in preparation for Rosh Hashono and the new year.

At the same time one must also bear in mind that although one is “in the field,” and engaged in mundane affairs, one is still in the presence of the King. And even if one is not immediately able to “change one’s work clothes,” nevertheless, the conduct must be quite different in the knowledge of being constantly observed by the King. It is surely unnecessary to elaborate to you on the meaningful aspects of the parable.

Wishing you and yours a Kesivo V’Chasimo Tovo, for a truly good and sweet year,

With blessing,

M. Schneerson