19th of Tammuz, 5720 [1960]
Greeting and Blessing:
I received your letter of the 8th of Tammuz, with the enclosures for which you will find receipt herewith.
As requested, I will remember you and your wife in prayer when visiting the holy resting place of my father-in-law of saintly memory, in accordance with the contents of your letter.
Needless to say, one must have absolute faith in G-d, while at the same time providing the channels and vessels in the natural way to receive G-d’s blessings, and the greater the faith in G-d, the sooner and in a larger measure one sees the fulfillment of G-d’s blessings.
With regard to the matter of the observance of the laws of Taharas Hamishpocho [family purity], and that there are some doctors who suggest that the period of abstention required by these laws might interfere with the period of ovulation, I need hardly say that the ruling of the Rov [Rabbinic authority] is, nevertheless, quite binding. Moreover, inasmuch as these laws are part of our Torah, which is called Toras Chaim, being the guide in life, it is impossible that the observance of the Torah, especially such a basic law as Taharas Hamishpocho, should interfere with another law, especially such a basic mitzvah [commandment] as procreation, which is the first mitzvah in the Torah.
As a matter of fact, I would like to call your attention to the fact, which I am sure also your doctor will substantiate, that there are many medical authorities who do not accept the whole theory regarding the period of ovulation with absolute certainty.
Furthermore, the number of medical authorities subscribing to this latter view is increasing. But even those who do attach importance to this theory, do not claim that the period of ovulation could be so carefully narrowed down as to make a day or two significant. Finally, there are various methods and treatments which help to postpone the period of ovulation and which have been applied to good advantage.
May G-d, whose benevolent Providence extends to everyone individually, fulfill your heart’s desire to be blessed with healthy offspring.
Hoping to hear good news from you,
With Blessing,
It would be advisable to ascertain if, at the time of your marriage, either you or your wife might have been involved in hurting the feelings of a man or woman through a previous broken engagement or promise, and the like, in which case a Mechila [asking forgiveness] might be necessary.
Ed.’s note: Eleven months after the Rebbe wrote this letter of advice and blessing to the childless couple he wrote another letter wishing them mazel tov on the birth of their first child
16th of Adar I, 5725 [1965]
I was pleased to receive your letter of the 15th of Shevat, in which you write about the successful initial meeting on Taharas Hamishpocho [family purity], and the fruitful beginnings.
It is, of course, unnecessary to emphasize to you the paramount importance of this cause. Nor do I think that it would require a great deal of persuasion to convince the other participants in the meeting of the vital importance of Taharas Hamishpocho.
Suffice it to say that even where a person may not be so meticulous insofar as he or she is concerned, yet there is no limit to the love and devotion of parents to their children, their readiness to spare no sacrifice for their benefit.
Even if the observance of the laws and regulations of Taharas Hamishpocho entailed a certain effort or even sacrifice on the part of the parents, surely it would be done eagerly, knowing that in addition to the essential thing of the need of observing G-d’s commands for their own sake, these observances have a direct influence on children, and through them on grandchildren and so on. Of what account, therefore, is a temporary inconvenience or effort by comparison to the everlasting benefit in terms of good health, physical and spiritual, and true Nachas [pride], etc. All the more so since the inconvenience or effort are smaller than imagined.
May G-d grant that this vital activity of Taharas Hamishpocho in your community should grow and expand, bringing even more and more members and participants, and may the observance of this essential law and regulation stimulate also the general observance of the Torah and Mitzvos, where there is always room for improvement.
With blessing,
