Tuesday, 17 Shvat 5762

I come with these words to support and to strengthen the esteemed honorable men who have engaged themselves in the mitzva of tzeddakah and matanos l'evyonim - gifts to the poor, under the auspices of the organization Ezras Yisroel. They founded this organization to assist the indigent and poor, and to strengthen the stumbling steps of very many families in our midst and in Eretz Yisroel. These families desperately need support to cover the most basic household expenses.

One cannot comprehend the value of this mitzva, or the significance of this organization, as Moreinu HaRav Avraham Yaakov Pam zatzal wrote in his letter of endosement last year.

Fortunate is the lot of each person who takes part in this worthwhile charitable fund, with generosity and open heartedness, particularly now, when the days of Purim are nearing, and one can fulfill his obligation of matanos l'evyonim by contributing to Ezras Yisroel.

The highly acclaimed words of the Rambam in Hilchos Megillah teach that it is better to increase spending on matanos l'evyonim than to increase spending on the Purim seudah or on mishloach manos, for by doing so, one is likened to the shechinah. It is written about the shechinah, "to bring life to the low in spirit and to bring life to the broken hearted."

May the heart of every man be roused to the greatness of this mitzva, and through this, may he who contributes merit all of the blessings of the Torah and neviim for those who pursue tzeddakah and chessed.

Written and signed with all the blessings of the Torah,

HaRav Yaakov Perlow

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