If no expense or precaution is too difficult for a child's physical health, how much more so for his spiritual well-being
By the Grace of G-d
11th of Elul, 5742
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Blessing and Greeting:
I received your letter, postdated the 27th of Aug. with the enclosures. Many thanks for your thoughtfulness in sending me a photograph of your triplet grandsons. As requested, I will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good in all the matters about which you wrote.
I trust you will be able to explain to your daughter the supreme importance of education in general, and for Jews in particular, inasmuch as Jews constitute a minority everywhere, particularly in the place where she lives, and it is necessary to give them the kind of education that would always make them aware of their Jewish identity, and not be swept by the environment, G-d forbid.
There is no need to elaborate on the obvious. However, it is surprising, when you come to think of it, that when parents have to make a decision affecting the material and physical welfare of a child, nothing is too expensive and nothing is too difficult, and one would certainly not wish to settle for a minimum in matters of health, but go for the maximum. We also see that when it comes to physical health, every preventive care is taken, through inoculation and the like, even if the chance of being infected is quite remote. How much more so should be a parent’s desire to ensure the spiritual well-being of the child through the proper Jewish education, which must start at a tender age, as the Wisest of All Men said, “Educate the child in the proper way, so that he (or she) will not depart from it also in old age.”
Needless to say, when a Jewish child attends a school where the teachers are not permeated with Jewishness, not to mention where there are non-Jewish teachers who, with the best of intentions, cannot be expected to have the right influence on a Jewish child, that is hardly the place for a Jewish child to receive his education.
I trust there is no need to further elaborate on the obvious, especially as no doubt you have inculcated your daughter with the real concepts, so that inwardly she shares your views on this matter, but has perhaps been influenced by extraneous considerations or people who lack the proper Jewish insights. For, in addition to her children themselves, one must also consider the children’s children, etc. to the end of all generations, who are directly affected by the kind of education of their forebears.
Receipt is enclosed for your Tzedoko, and may the Zechus of it stand you all in good stead in all needs, especially in regard to the Torah education of your grandchildren.
Wishing you and all yours a Kesivo vaChasimo Tovo, for a good and sweet year, both materially and spiritually,
With blessing,
