By the Grace of G-d 25th of Av, 5720Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I received your letter in which you write about your arrival in the Holy Land, and also your previous two letters which you wrote in Holland. My reply to your previous letters was sent to your address in Holland, and I hope that it was forwarded to you.

To begin on a happy note, in regard to your writing that your parents, having learned that your sister was remembered in prayer, were inspired to give Tzedoko for good causes, it surely strengthens the hope that recognizing the effectiveness of prayer to G-d, Who is also the Giver of the Torah and Mitzvoth, it will strengthen their resolution to make additional efforts to live up to the Jewish way of life. And may they do so in good health and without further outside inducement.

You ask how long you should stay in the Holy Land. On this question you should consult your friends there, explaining to them all the particulars and details which have a bearing on the subject.

You need not apologize for sending me the poem, especially as you wrote it under the impact of the feeling of G-d’s presence everywhere, or, in the well-known words of the Zohar,¹ לית אתר פנוי מיני׳. At the same time, being aware of this feeling, there surely is no room for any of the apprehensions of which you write, and as King David, the Sweet Singer of Israel said,² “G-d is with me I shall not fear,” especially in the light of the Chassidic interpretation of the true aspects of Divine Providence, as taught by the Baal Shem Tov, whose 200th anniversary of the completion of his life’s work we are observing this year.³ If at some future moment you will get a feeling which is not in harmony with the two basic teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, concerning G-d’s benevolent Providence and the service of G-d with joy and gladness of heart, you should reflect on these basic principles, and you will find your faith and confidence restored and invigorated. Every additional measure of such faith in G-d will bring you additional Divine blessings.

Hoping to hear good news from you, especially of your feeling of security and confidence.

With blessing,

By Nissan Mindel