Excerpts from an Address by the Rebbe to the Members of the Machne Israel Development Fund

Adar 26, 5751 - 1991

Beginning One's Day with Thanks to G-d
"Modeh Ani - I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me."

With this declaration a Jew begins his day, and proceeds to amplify his gratitude in detail, as expressed in the morning blessings. Afterwards, and this is of fundamental importance, one joins in brotherly love with all fellow Jews.

Thus, whenever Jews meet, they traditionally greet each other with "Shalom Aleichem" ("peace to you"). Significantly, that greeting begins with Shalom, peace, because peace must be the first phase of any process.

The key to a person's success is inner peace. When a person is not disturbed by internal discord, and his disposition is characterized instead by harmonious calm, he is able to handle his life tasks with strength and success. And when one begins one's day in a harmonious frame of mind, it remains with him throughout the day.

This is reflected in a Jew's first act every day, as mentioned above, the recitation of Modeh Ani, the declaration with which every Jew - man, woman, and child - thanks G-d for returning his/her soul. In that declaration, we acknowledge that "You have mercifully restored my soul" - and G-d's mercies are great and abundant.



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Growth Beyond Anticipation
In His great mercy, G-d gives a person abundant blessings, indeed, endowing him with manifold potentials, even those which he may not, at present, appreciate the necessity for. This is evident also in the business world. There are times when a person appears to have everything he needs, and yet he sees that G-d grants him the potential for greater expansion and success.

Although at times a person may not recognize this within his present time and place, a Jew is never bound by the limits of his immediate circumstances. For the essence of his being is his soul, which is "a part of G-d from above," transcending all limitations. A Jew is also above the limitations of time, i.e., the past and the present do not restrict his possibilities for the future. And that unlimited potential is enhanced when a person, instead of remaining content with an inert state of spiritual health, allows his inner Divine nature, which is constantly striving to ascend, to actively guide his daily conduct.



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Sharing Happily
In particular, the above concepts are relevant to people of means, for G-d has endowed them with ample blessings. In this context, we can understand the statement of our Sages,"Rebbe (Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi) would honour the wealthy." Why did Rebbe accord them special recognition? Being of independent means, he did not need to curry their favour. In his eyes, furthermore, a person's financial status obviously did not influence him, for his concern was the Torah and its mitzvot (commandments). Indeed, it was he who compiled the Mishnah as a legacy for all generations.

Nevertheless, he would "honour the wealthy," because G-d had granted them unique potentials to contribute to the world at large, to help people around them. And furthermore, to do so eagerly, and in a joyous spirit. This element is also significant for when help and tzedaka (charity) are given happily, the person who receives them is comfortable about accepting them, and this allows him to use them in a more productive manner.

Giving happily and with an open hand will never cause a person any loss, G-d forbid. On the contrary, using the prosperity one has been granted to help others will cause it to be enhanced and amplified. Thus, our Sages taught, "Tithe so that you will become wealthy."



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Helping our Fellow Men
Tzedaka reflects the inner bond shared by all Jews. That bond should also be expressed in the manner the tzedaka is given. We should give as individuals, as families, as members of our community, and as members of the Jewish people as a whole. Similarly, our gifts should be directed to helping Jews as individuals, to helping communities, and to helping the entire Jewish people.



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Gratitude for G-d's Blessings
Thanking G-d for the good He has granted us now, within the limits of exile, brings us ever closer to the greater and immeasurable good that will come in the era of Redemption. Then we will proceed "on the clouds of heaven," and we will be able to continue our coming together in the Land of Israel, in Jerusalem, and in the Holy Temple.