B.H.
10 Cheshvan 5734
Brooklyn, NY
Dr. and Mrs. -------
61 Cranwich Road
London, N.16
Greeting and Blessing:
In addition to the reports that I receive from time to time indirectly, I was pleased to receive just now Mrs. Stern’s letter of the 4th of Cheshvan. I was gratified to read the good news about her activities in South Africa, especially with the schoolchildren. Now it is quite evident how important and urgent has been the appeal made in the latter part of this summer, centered on “From the mouths of babes to defeat and avenge our enemies.”
The above, incidentally, conveys a basic lesson, which becomes more obvious by analogy from medicine, which has two general aspects: cure and prevention. The first has to do with curing the sick; the second—with preventing sickness. At first glance, the accomplishment of the physician in curing the sick seems more impressive by its dramatic results, than preventive medicine, where there could be some delusion that sickness would be somehow avoided. In truth, however, it is surely better to be certain of immunity to sickness. The latter is the way of G-d as it is written, “All sickness, etc. I will not place on you, for I am your Healer.”
In the present situation, the “enemy and avenger” has made no secret of his intentions, which emphasizes again how true is the saying of our Sages that “the person who has a miracle happen to them, does not recognize that miracle.” And while the preventive powers of Torah and mitzvoth are also in a matter of “the person who has a miracle happen to them, does not recognize that miracle,” this is clearly the more desirable way, and may G-d grant that henceforth it will be only in this way.
In light of the above, it is more urgent than ever to spread the Torah, Toras Chayim, and your contribution through the “Betrachtungen” is certain an important part of this endeavor.
With esteem and blessing,
