By the Grace of G‑d 20th of Teveth, 5717 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to receive your letter of the first day of Chanukah, and to read in it that your position has improved, both materially and spiritually. As for the set-backs you mention, and especially your feeling of deficiency in your studies, it should be remembered that the Torah teaches us that the conquest of set-backs and the general settling down in life usually can be accomplished by stages. You will recall that the Holy Land was also conquered by degrees,¹ and as it was in the case of the physical conquest, so it is in the case of spiritual conquest. For just as it is said of the Holy Land that "The Eyes of G‑d are upon it from the beginning of the year to the end of the year,"² so are the Eyes of G‑d upon everyone of us individually,³ watching over us constantly and helping us in our determination to accomplish our conquests.⁴ Therefore, one should not be discouraged by the slowness of the progress, or even by an occasional set-back. You will also remember what you must have learnt in Chassidus, how destructive it is to be discouraged or sad etc. On the contrary, any set-back should only call forth a greater measure of effort and determination to overcome it.

With regard to the financial difficulties, debts, etc., I trust that the position will improve. I am enclosing herewith a check from the Special Fund of my Father-in-law, of saintly memory, which you should invest in your business, as this will be auspicious for success.⁵

Enclosed also is an excerpt from a message which I think you will find interesting and useful.⁶

Hoping to hear good news from you and with blessing,

By Nissan Mindel

Enc.