Whether to accept a job which would cause workplace friction due to Shabbos observance; job in a place that has observant families of your age; wedding anniversary
By the Grace of G-d
14th of Tammuz, 5728
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. & Mrs. ...
Minn. 5511
Greeting and Blessing:
Your letter of the 19th of June reached me with some delay. In it you write about the developments in regard to the offer from Pittsburgh, and ask my advice.
Needless to say, you are both right in insisting that the job should be such that would not involve friction in regard to the observance of Shabbos and Yom Tov. For, even if this condition is attained, but only after friction, it would be inconvenient even for an old-timer at the job. Certainly it would be most inconvenient if such friction has to come within the very first week of taking the new job, before one has had a chance to show one’s qualifications, efficiency, etc.
It is also clear—as we discussed the matter when you were here—that the job has to be in a place where there is an environment of Shomrei Torah and Mitzvoth. At any rate, there should be several young families of approximately your own age who are strict observers of the Jewish way, with whom you could associate and socialize. Finally, there is of course the basic condition that the job should provide adequate Parnosso and financial security.
Inasmuch as your present job satisfies all the above conditions, it is clear that in order to change the job there must be, in my opinion, the definite assurance that the new job will not only satisfy the said conditions, but will also provide some additional benefits, in order to justify the adjustments, etc., which are inevitable in making the change.
Having just observed the 12-13th of Tammuz, the significance of which I trust you know, may G-d grant that all your affairs should be with Hatzlocho, and give you satisfaction, not only in your own work, but also, and even more so, in your efforts to spread and strengthen Yiddishkeit.
May G-d grant that you should have good news to report in all the matters about which you write, especially in connection with your third wedding anniversary, for a happy long life, blessed with healthy offspring.
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
