Glad to hear that home conduct and children’s upbringing is in the Torah way; Question of moving to orthodox Jewish community - stay and strengthen local Yiddishkeit; invest the energy of moving into local efforts; promise to remember in Prayer
By the Grace of G-d
2nd of Shevat, 5740
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mrs. Sarah Hein
33 Oak Lane
Mountain Lakes, N.J. 07046
Blessing and Greeting:
Your letter of Jan. 3rd reached me with considerable delay. Many thanks for the good news it contained.
I was gratified to note that you are conducting your home in the true Torah way, and bringing up your children in this way. There is no need to emphasize to you at length how important this is, and may G-d grant that you should continue to advance in all matters of goodness and holiness, Torah and Mitzvoth.
As for the question of moving to a more strongly orthodox Jewish community, inasmuch as in your present place not enough has been done to attract more orthodox Jewish families, etc. — I have often pointed out that one has to think not only of oneself, but also of one’s obligation to the community in which one lives. Therefore, it would not be right to abandon the battlefront. Instead, a more determined effort should be made to strengthen and spread Yiddishkeit in the community, all the more so since there are not many who are willing or able to do this.
It is also well to bear in mind that moving to a new place entails a great deal of expense, energy and time, and if this were invested locally, much could be accomplished to upgrade the level of Yiddishkeit in your community, both for your benefit, as well as for the benefit of the many, and the Zechus Horabim helps.
Since by Hashgocho Protis, this letter is being written at the beginning of the month of Shevat, in proximity to the Yahrzeit-Hilulo of my father-in-law of saintly memory, it is surely unnecessary to emphasize to you at length the total dedication of the Baal Hahilulo to the spreading and strengthening of Yiddishkeit, and how much he urged everyone to be involved in this vital activity, assuring us of his personal intercession and blessing for Hatzlocho.
If you will let me know the Hebrew names of all the members of your family, together with the mother’s Hebrew name in each case, as is customary, I will remember you all in prayer.
May G-d grant that you should have good news to report in all above, thus also widening the channels to receive G-d’s blessings in all needs materially and spiritually.
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
