Starting a new job; women praying; G-d is here; no room for anxiety
By the Grace of G‑d
10th of Iyar, 5725
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon
16, Moresby Rd.
Clapton
London E.5, England
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to receive your respective letters written towards the end of the month of Nissan.
I was pleased to read about Mrs. Solomon's starting her new job, and may G-d grant that it should be satisfactory in every way.
Needless to say, every additional effort in matters of Torah and Mitzvoth and in the dissemination of Yiddishkeit in general, will bring additional Divine blessings.
With regard to the question of Davening, you surely know that there are various customs insofar as women are concerned. However, this is only as far as the women themselves are concerned. But if, as you write, this also has a bearing on the Chinuch of the children, this gives added reason to adopt the custom which would be most valuable for the children, even though the religious community where you lived previously did not demand it.
Besides, there is nothing more conducive to attune the mind and heart towards the consciousness of G‑d’s Presence than regular prayer, where the first condition is “Know before Whom thou art standing.”
Fostering this consciousness is very helpful for the attainment of peace of mind and general contentment. For through prayer and direct personal contact with the Almighty, one is reminded every day that G‑d is not far away, in the Seventh Heaven, but is present and here, and His benevolent Providence extends to each and every one individually. This point has also been greatly emphasized by the Alter Rebbe in his book of Tanya, where he urges everyone to remember that “Behold, G‑d is standing near him.”
With this in mind, there is no room left for any anxiety or worry, as King David, the Sweet Singer of Israel, said, “G‑d is my shepherd, I shall not want,” “G‑d is with me, I shall not fear,” etc. Thus, this is no longer a theoretical idea, but becomes a personal experience in the everyday life.
As requested, I will remember in prayer those mentioned in your letter.
The present days of Sfira, when we are counting the days and the weeks to Mattan Torah, are particularly auspicious to advance on all matters of Torah and Mitzvoth, in order to illuminate one's life more fully with the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth, which are also the channels to receive G-d's blessings in all one's needs, materially and spiritually.
Hoping to hear good news from you
With blessing
M. Schneerson
See Berachos 28b.
Chapter 41 (56a) [paraphrased from Bereishis 28:13].
Tehillim 23:1.
Ibid. 118:6.
