By the Grace of G-d 3rd of Menachem Av, 5720Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I received your letter of July 3rd, and regret that due to extreme pressure of duties, my reply has been delayed.

I was very pleased to read in your letter that the medical treatment was successful, and I hope that by the time you receive this letter you will have made a complete recovery. May G-d grant that from now on you will have no such distractions, and you will be able to continue your work to strengthen the Yeshiva, with joy and gladness of heart. All the more so since this year, as you know, marks the 200th anniversary of the Baal Shem Tov's completion of his life's work, Complete faith in G-d's benevolent providence which extends to everyone individually, and serving G-d with joy, are the basic principals of his teachings.

With regard to the question of the use of the Yeshiva facilities, especially of the auditorium, and the limitations which have been placed by the Yeshivah administration in regard to renting out these facilities, let me say, first of all, the important thing is not this or that remark by one or another who wants to create trouble for the Yeshiva. The question of the limitations should be considered on its own merits.

Needless to say, the auditorium should be made available for marriages, Bar Mitzvos, and similar simchas, and the more the better. For it is not only a question of financial income for the Yeshiva, but it is also a way of familiarizing the community at large with the idea that their family affairs and simchas should take place at the Yeshiva auditorium, and in a way which corresponds to the directives of the Torah and Mitzvos. For in such a case the important events which will be celebrated there will have a lasting benefit for them and all their friends and the community at large.

However it is self understood that it is impossible to forge a principle especially one that is dictated by the Torah, simply because in doing it there would be an additional financial gain. Moreover, such a principal cannot be given up because of the moral benefits mentioned above. For the whole standing of the yeshiva would thus be jeopardized. Even a private person, and certainly a public institution, must zealously guard its name, and even more so an educational institution such as the Yeshiva. For the education of students is not confined to the lessons, but is influenced by the general conduct of the Yeshiva's affairs. We live in a world where people do not generally go into their inner aspects of daily occurrences, but judge by the external aspects, and unfortunately, are ready to draw their own conclusions. For this reason it is necessary for the Yeshiva to take special precautions so as not to expose itself to questionable conduct.

With regard to the limitations set up for the use of the Yeshiva facilities, as far as I know, the facilities are not made available to an affair which would involve Sabbath desecration, which unfortunately is quite prevalent nowadays. Another aspect of the limitations is the question of safeguarding the laws of Shulchan Aruch in relation to the marriage celebrations, especially public singing by women, mixed dancing, etc. The latter aspect is particularly in conflict not only with the principal of a truly Orthodox Yeshiva, but even with the so-called "neo-Orthodox" or "modern Orthodox," or other similar strange names which have been invented to confuse the public and to facilitate deviation from the way of the Torah and Mitzvoth.

What would we think of a person who preaches one way of life and then goes about contradicting it in his own conduct? How much more so in the case of an educational institution which teaches and preaches a certain way of life which is on the vital interest of its students for the rest of their lives. One can plainly see that havoc would be wrought in the minds of the children when they see the Yeshiva acting in a way which is contradictory to the ideals and principals which it endeavors to install into them. This is especially true of American Children who are very sensitive to insincerity and falsehood and any kind of two-faced conduct. Their whole attitude towards the Yeshiva and its ideals would be endangered if after being taught on Friday, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,"¹ they come and see the following day the sacred commandment is publicly desecrated on the very premise of the Yeshiva, with people coming and going in cars, etc. The same is in regard to the question of mixed dancing, which, in addition to being a violation to the Shulchan Aruch, also encourages immodesty, laxity, etc.

It goes without saying that I am in complete agreement with you when say that the people who helped to build the Yeshiva want, and have a right, to expect that their children should be married there and their children's Bar Mitzva's should be celebrated there. Not only do I agree with you fully, but I say that they should be encouraged to do so. However, I repeat, in order that the wedding or Bar Mitzva should be a blessed affair, it must be arranged in accordance with the Torah and Mitzvoth, and not, G-d forbid, in contradiction to it.

You mention a certain person, who having created trouble for the Yeshiva in connection with these limitations, yet went ahead and arranged affairs permitting mixed dancing, etc., this is of course both unfortunate and regrettable. However Jews who have always been a minority among gentiles, and even Orthodox Jews who have been a minority among Jews in certain communities, have learned not to be influenced or weakened in their convictions by the conduct of others. As we have the prophetic promise that eventually the Truth of the Torah will Prevail, no matter what the odds are, as it is written in regard to the father of our nation, Abraham was one, yet his seed inherited the whole earth" (Ezekiel 33:24).

I trust that the above lines, though all too short in relation to the importance of the subject matter, will suffice for a person of your background, especially as you are the president of the P.T.A. and the Sisterhood. For your election to these high offices clearly indicates that you have an understanding and sensitivity for such matters. I trust therefore, that you will find the suitable words to convey the thoughts expressed above to all those concerned with the problem about which you wrote me. I hope that you will use your influence in the P.T.A. and Sisterhood and whatever possible, and in a growing measure in the best interests of the Yeshiva.

With blessing,

By Nissan Mindel

P.S. you write that owing to the inevitable limitations which the Yeshiva had to impose upon in facilities, there have been cancellations and a financial loss to the Yeshiva of several hundred dollars in revenue. As I stated above, that it is impossible that money earned in any way which contradicts the ideals of the Yeshiva, for G-d's blessings cannot be earned through transgressing His commandments. Nevertheless, I was fortunate in finding a donor, who Learning of the situation and realizing the importance of supporting the principals of the Yeshiva, generously contributed the amount of Chai times Chai ($324.00) through our Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch, whose check for that amount is enclosed herein.