The Rebbe’s Unusual Question to an Organization in Eretz Yisroel

When Max Schreiber, the treasurer of “Merkaz L’Taharas Hamishpacha” wrote to the Rebbe in 5725, he received a reply he didn’t expect: “Where’s your deficit? How’s it possible that you’re not in the red?” Now, decades later, it’s a lesson they continue to take to heart.

When Max Schreiber, the treasurer of Merkaz L’Taharas Hamishpacha wrote to the Rebbe in 5725 (1965), he received a reply he didn’t expect.

Since 1942, the organization had been building mikvaos in Eretz Yisroel – specifically in communities where women would not go unless the mikvah was accessible, beautiful and welcoming. In the 80 years that the Merkaz has been building and renovating, there’s been a consistent trend. Every time there’s a new mikvah, the amount of women going doubles (at least). With a simple solution – more luxurious, beautiful mikvaos in secular communities – the number of women keeping taharas hamishpacha grows.

It’s a mitzvah the Rebbe spoke about time and again, one of the ten mivtzoyim that he asked his Chassidim to encourage for every Jew in every corner of the world. And for 80 years, there’s an organization that’s been fulfilling the Rebbe’s vision for women in Eretz Yisroel.

Every single time the Merkaz ran a campaign, the Rebbe would send a contribution for the new mikvah – anywhere from $18 to hundreds of shekalim.

The Rebbe and Mr. Schreiber spoke on a pretty consistent basis, exchanging dozens of letters over the years. In one such conversation, the Rebbe asked to see the Merkaz’s books, their financial reports.

And when the Rebbe reviewed them, he wrote back to Mr. Schreiber in surprise:

The Rebbe noticed that the organization had no deficits. There was actually money sitting in the bank accounts.

Even though it was the seemindly responsible approach, the Rebbe spoke strongly against it.

How could we leave money in the bank when there were clearly more communities who needed a mikvah?

How could we let another month pass without giving a woman access to the foundational mitzvah?

“A request for a mikvah cannot be rejected,” the Rebbe wrote. Not only should the Merkaz use every dollar they had – the Rebbe stressed that they should be willing to go into debt.

It’s a lesson Merkaz L’Taharas Hamishpacha took to heart. Now, decades later, as the organization continues to build mikvaos in Eretz Yisroel (with 35-40 projects a year), they do everything they can to accept every request. In line with the Rebbe’s guidance, the goal is for every mikvah to be built as soon as possible without communities needing to wait a single extra day.

Now, as we stand in the days before Yom Kippur, a time when we do all we can to increase in taharah and mitzvos, become a partner in an organization the Rebbe personally invested in.

With $18 a month, become a partner in every mikvah the Merkaz builds and support a cause the Rebbe spoke out about time and again – to increase the purity of Jewish homes and ensure every Yiddishe neshama is brought into a family that’s rooted in kedushah.

Enter Yomim Norai’im with the merit of this mitzvah on your side. Partner in the Rebbe’s mivtzoyim by strengthening taharas hamishpacha in Eretz Yisroel today.