January 25, 1962
Most Honored Rabbi,
How can I possibly thank you enough for all the trouble you take in attempting to illuminate the path given to me to follow? I am more than touched by your kindness, your solicitude, and your patience even. I do not doubt for a single instant that it is the shadow of my saintly mother that has guided my steps toward you. This fact deepens my wonder at seeing life with its mysterious meanderings, and obliges me to pay far greater attention to the slightest nuances that our encounter continues to produce upon my person and my work.
That said, I must confess that in our most recent exchange, I cannot follow you entirely, and this must arise from a certain misunderstanding upon which you base your judgment. First of all, I am not at the center you mention; I am merely an infinitesimal part of this project. It is a very vast undertaking that encompasses the entire artistic history of all humanity, and also of our people, where my plaster casts will find permanent shelter in only a small corner of this vast museum that is being built.
The sculpture garden will occupy a portion of the hill upon which the museum is built, and believe me, it is far from being an Aelia Capitolina. Everything is done in measure, and I believe that the men who are working there on the reconstruction of the greatness of our homeland are guided by a mysterious force that enables them to accomplish precisely what is needed. Even a blind man can see this, for what they are accomplishing there is simply superhuman. It is clear, it is visible, and in this force, I can only have confidence.
I said that everything is done in measure.
In your gracious letter you give me an extreme example: the story of a ballet in a synagogue on Yom Kippur. This brings to my memory another story I read somewhere—the story of a little shepherd who, on Yom Kippur in a synagogue in the presence of the Baal Shem, instead of praying (which he did not know how to do), began, to the great scandal of the entire congregation, to play his flute.
And the reaction of the Baal Shem—you certainly know this story...
And it is here that measure must intervene—to know how far one can go without offending the feelings and resentments of our people, while working at the same time for its greatness and the glory of our Almighty G-d.
For you, most honored rabbi, for your family, and for your disciples, the very best wishes from your humble servant.
P.S. Under separate cover I take the liberty of sending you a book about me that has just been published, (which I did not want) but which may perhaps interest you.
