Destitute in Jerusalem — Urgent Appeal for Support — The Yeshivah Situation

And now — I am completely destitute and lacking everything. And I need some sum — for household goods and livelihood. And I have absolutely no source to turn to — and absolutely no support and no help from any place whatsoever. And in general — the situation here in Jerusalem is very bad. And especially the yeshivos and the kollelim [stipend institutions] — which give after eight weeks — for half a month's worth. And even this is not available. And especially — I need great assistance that they accept me into the Yeshivah Toras Chaim [the same yeshivah where R' Shmuel had pleaded for support back in Letter 28 — nearly a decade before] where I had studied previously. And how much will I stand there? 2 pounds — which means I can receive half a pound per month — if they accept me there. And for this too — much effort is needed. And the kollel gives for a month — 16 weeks' worth — which means from the kollel I have a quarter pound per month. That is the totality of the income I hope to have — after all the effort. And will this suffice? May G‑d have compassion. And especially — my son, may he live, is weak and needs nourishing food [פילניש — Yiddish: filling, nourishing food]. And likewise I am weak and in pain from the sufferings that passed over me. And likewise my dear wife, may she live. May G‑d have compassion.

Therefore I ask you, my dear brother — perhaps you will merit to fulfill the mitzvah: "And from your own flesh, do not hide yourself" [Isaiah 58:7 — "Do not turn from your own kin who needs help"] — to see to send some sum as a beginning. And also to help with a monthly stipend — that is: to take upon yourself to send me every month a certain sum according to your ability. And also to exert yourself with others — and to arouse my brother Zalman, may he live, and also our relatives — perhaps they will want to help as much as they can. My dear brother — I ask you once more: do not forget this — and do everything you can — to help and assist me and my household — that I can live with my household and sit in peace — in Torah and in the service of G‑d. And in the merit of this — you will merit all the blessings written in the Torah. And Hashem, blessed be He, will help you to merit to return to Eretz Yisrael in great success — and to find your fitting match — and to sit and study Torah in purity in Eretz Yisrael — from a place of expansiveness. Amen, so may it be His will. From me — your brother who awaits you and yearns greatly for you — and prays for you: Shmuel Horowitz. Please, please — write to me always of your good welfare — at length — to give life to my soul. From me — mentioned above. I send greetings to my beloved uncles, precious to me and all my household — may they live — and all the dear friends and all of Israel. And I wish them all goodness. Amen. My dear wife, may she live, and my son, may he live, send greetings warmly and with great love. And they await to see you soon in Eretz Yisrael. My dear father-in-law, the distinguished and great rabbi, may he live, and his household, may they live, warmly inquire of your good welfare.

From me — your son who awaits the salvation of Hashem — and who awaits to see you soon in Eretz Yisrael — in true and eternal success.