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A collection of advice the Rebbe gave to businesspeople over the years:

Apply Yourself To The Business To Earn Hashem’s Blessings

… I received your letter of January 20th from Chicago, in which you write about the good start that you made in connection with your new business. May G-d grant that you have continuous success, so that you have ample, kosher and honorable Parnosso, and that you utilize your earnings on good things and healthy things together with your wife and children, so that you truly experience ופרצת both physically and spiritually.

I received the letter from Mr. . . and have replied to him. Needless to say that I trust you will apply yourself to your business with the required attention, for, although we must always remember that it is G-d who feeds and sustains every one in His goodness and mercy, yet man is expected to make the proper effort, as it is written, “And He will bless you in all that you do.” Moreover, many a good cause and sacred institution have a stake in your success, since the need for their support and enlargement is constantly growing.

(From a letter dated 17th of Shevat 5719/1959)

“It Is A Pity That You Did Not Pledge More…”

…I received your letter of May 30th, and I was pleased to read in it that you so quickly saw the fulfillment of G-d’s promise, “Test me now herewith, saith our G-d… if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing more than enough.” (Malachi 3:10). Thus, your pledge of 500£ for Kfar Chabad, has been returned to you many fold. It is a pity that you did not pledge more, so that the benefit would have been so much greater. I trust, however, that this will be a lesson for the future, to remember how trust in G-d is well rewarded.

With reference to what you write about your worries that after a period of five years there will not be any business, you probably are aware that there are many merchants who know of the saying of the Sages, “He who increases his worldly possessions, increases worry,” nevertheless they are trying to increase their worldly goods, taking a chance at increasing thereby their “headaches.” I assume that you are no exception.

I mention this so that you will not take too much to heart the “headaches” of business, since they are the effect of “increasing wealth.” As long as you will keep the channels and vessels open to receive G-d’s blessings; these channels and vessels being all matters connected with the Torah and Mitzvoth, G-d will surely send you His blessings.

(From a letter to Mr. Zalmon Jaffe, 12th of Sivan 5717/1957)

Businesses Should Be Enlarged, Not Reduced

…I need hardly emphasize that one should not pay too much attention to what anyone says in the heat of a discussion, which he himself no doubt eventually regrets. And even if he does not regret it, it still does not matter. The important thing is to conduct the business in a friendly co-operation, since peace is the “Vessel” for blessing.

With regard to the plans that you mention, the one of selling the assets of the business and starting in a small way should be ruled out completely, for one should try to enlarge one’s business and not reduce it. This should leave the first two alternatives that you mention, that is, either to make your partnership into a corporation in order to attract more capital, or to continue the partnership as is, but in a larger and improved building, etc. The choice between the two depends to a considerable extent upon the preference of your brother, and also what are the prospects of enlarging suitable lines, etc.

(From a letter dated 26th of Teveth 5717/1957)

Adding A Side-Line Of Business

…You ask about the question of entering a new business, since your present business is connected with seasonal trade, and there are months in the year when there is not much to do.

Nevertheless, it is my opinion that you should not give up your present business, partly for the reasons you mention in your letter, and especially as this business has served as your channel of Parnosso, which enabled you and your wife to bring up your children in the Jewish way of life, and to make steady advancement in this direction, as I have had occasion to note since my own contact with you. This justifies the expectation that you will continue to advance along this road and go from strength to strength. However, while not giving up your present business, it may be advisable to enter into some side line, to which you could apply yourself during the slack months and perhaps even at other times, so long as it does not interfere with your present business.

(From a letter dated 2nd of Iyar 5717/1957)

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