By the Grace of G-d 19th of Sivan, 5713 Brooklyn 13, N.Y.

Dear Mr. ...:

This is to acknowledge your letter of May 13, enclosing contribution for the Yeshivah, for which receipt is enclosed herewith.

I am surprised that you do not mention anything about your affairs, material and spiritual, especially those which were the subject of our conversation during your visit. I trust everything is satisfactory, both materially and spiritually, which are inseparable in Jewish life, and that you will make good the omission next time.

With regard to your desire to visit Israel, it is surely unnecessary to enlarge upon the fact, which is also recognized by all the peoples of the world, that the land of Israel is the Holy Land. This does not mean that it is so by virtue of the sanctuaries which stood there in the past, and are now in ruins, but it is holy today as well, holy because G-d made it so, and as we are told in Chumash: ”It is the land upon which G-d’s eyes rest from the beginning of the year to the end of the year."¹ A visit to this Holy Land, where G-d’s presence is felt more than elsewhere, requires some preparation. It is like visiting a royal palace, where one’s appearance and expression of loyalty must be quite on a different plane, whatever one's conduct was outside. The Holy Land is the palace of the King of kings, and a personal visit there requires appropriate preparation.

I hope you will not take offense at these remarks. I certainly wish you well, and I know that every Jew, including you and your family, can accomplish such preparation as a visit to the Holy Land indicates, and which is essential regardless.

With blessing