By the Grace of G-d 27th of Sivan, 5741 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

Your letter reached me with some delay. However, I do not think that speaking with me personally is the most important thing. What is important is that I will remember you and your family at the holy resting place of my father-in-law of saintly memory. Equally important is that each of you and both together, should strengthen your bond with Hashem, the Source of all blessings. And the way to strengthen this bond is spelled out in the Torah. This includes strengthening bitochon (trust) in G-d. And this is not an abstract idea, but a profound recognition and feeling that Hashem is taking a personal interest in you. And since He is the Essence of Goodness and it is in the nature of the Good to do good, there is no room for anxiety. Strengthening this bitochon widens the channels through which G-d’s blessings flow in all needs.

As I had occasion to point out before, the Torah places extraordinary emphasis on Sholom Bayis, describing it as a “vessel” that contains all blessings.

Now that we are approaching Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, the month of Ge’ulo of my father-in-law of saintly memory, it serves as a source of inspiration to each and every one of us. You are surely familiar with the background of his arrest, which in those days and in that country was a very serious matter. But although the situation seemed desperate, in the words of the Psalmist, “Whence will my help come?” the unshakable bitochon in Hashem not only brought about the Geulo, but it was in a manner that more than compensated for his erstwhile predicament. It was on the 3rd day of Tammuz (this year the 5th of July) that a turning point came in his situation and on the 12th of Tammuz, his birthday, his Geulo became official, though his actual release came on the 13th of Tammuz, when he walked out a free man, and with a miraculous victory over his adversaries.

This is the kind of bitochon that the Baal HaGeulo has bequeathed to every Jew, especially those who are associated with his sacred work.

This brings me to the subject of the Congregation Levi Yitzchok which you have founded.

Due to the intervening festival of Shavuos, this is my first opportunity to acknowledge receipt of your letter and design of the stationery of the newly founded Congregation Levi Yitzchok. The design makes a very good impression. As for suggestions in this connection, I would only like to suggest that you add “U.S.A.” in the address, inasmuch as, in accordance with the slogan of “Uforatzto” on the stationery, the Congregation will, hopefully, establish contact also with Jews coming from other countries.

With reference to the matter of harassment which the new Congregation has experienced, as you mention in your letter, you are, of course, right that it should be reported to the police. However, there is no room for apprehension. Indeed, it is a sign that the influence of the new Congregation has already made an impact, and, as it happened with similar situations in various other places, the original resistance gradually subsides. Needless to say, you and all who are active in promoting this Congregation will surely continue to do so, and even more energetically. This will also answer your question what is to be done. For, having introduced Orthodoxy to your neighborhood is only the first step in the direction of making the whole neighborhood permeated with Torah and mitzvos, to the extent that Hashem will be able to say “I will dwell in their midst.”¹ In other words, the Congregation should become a lighthouse, illuminating the homes of all its members, and through them neighbors and friends, with the light and vitality of the Torah and Mitzvoth. All the more so since Greater Miami Beach attracts Jews from different cities and countries, and thus has an opportunity to extend its influence far and wide.

Wishing you hatzlocho in all above, and may the forthcoming Chag HaGeulo bring you and yours, and all of us, an additional measure of Geulo, and, indeed, hasten the complete Geulo of our Jewish people through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson