By the Grace of G-d
11th of Adar, 5728
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mrs. . . .
Bronx, N.Y. 10468
Blessing and Greeting:
In your letter you pose the question, how can Jews survive as a minority?
It is true that the Jewish people have been facing this problem throughout its long history of dispersion in various lands, and under varying conditions, often from one extreme to another. Occasionally there were faint-hearted individuals, sometimes even groups, who thought that the only possible way of survival is through assimilation, G-d forbid. But the facts of life have dispelled any such illusion, because the hostile environment itself has rejected Jews under any form of disguise, and have perhaps resented even more any effort on the part of Jews to gate-crash into their society.
Our long history in the dispersion has amply demonstrated that the only factor of Jewish survival has always been, and continues to be, Jewish adherence to the Torah and Mitzvot, which has given the Jewish people their unique character and strength. It goes without saying that what we are talking about is the daily Jewish life in accordance with the Torah and Mitzvot, and not just being “a good Jew at heart.” On the other hand, any effort to imitate the non-Jewish environment is bound to meet with the rebuttal, and the Jew who persists in pushing his way where he is not wanted, will sooner or later hear a scornful “dirty Jew,” etc. With the experience we have had in our own generation, in some countries which were regarded as the most advanced and cultured, it is surely belaboring the point to enlarge upon it.
Wishing you a happy and inspiring Purim,
