By the Grace of G-d27th of Nisan, 5721Brooklyn, N. Y.

Blessing and Greeting,

I received your letter of the 22nd of Nissan, and the previous one.

With reference to the letter of your friend, about the correspondence with another friend, containing admonition, I hope the problem has resolved itself.

As for the differences of opinion, yours being that one should not strive to attain Madregos, but should sincerely strive to do G-d's will, whereas your friend wrote that many individuals do consider this important, the basic issue can be traced to the saying of our Sages ”A Jew should always engage in Torah and Mitzvoth even not for their own sake - שלא לשמה, for from this stage he will eventually come to the stage of for its own sake”.¹ The meaning of "for its own sake" is, of course, not for the sake of Madregos, but in order to fulfill G-d's Will, as also explained in Rambam Hil. Teshuvo, Chap. 10, and at great length in the teachings of Chassidus. In other words, at an early stage of Divine service, the above quoted saying of our Sages applies, but even then one should bear in mind what is the real purpose and value of Divine service, which should have no other motivation but the desire to fulfill G-d's will.

With reference to the question of your plans for the coming year, inasmuch as the question will not become actual for a number of months, you can shelve it in the meantime and continue to carry on the important work which Divine Providence has placed upon you in bringing Jewish children closer to their Father in Heaven, which work you should do with peace of mind and gladness of heart, especially in view of your success in the past. Later on, when the question will become more imminent, you will write to me again about what your feelings, thoughts and plans are.

You write with regards to a shidduch, your present attitude is exactly the opposite of what it was a year ago. I trust that in your next letter you will amplify this, so as to clarify what you intended to convey.

On the question of a visit to the Holy Land upon completion of your work in the camp, generally speaking, this is something which could be materialized at the proper time, and when it will get closer to that time, you will surely write to me again on this matter.

I am surprised, that you do not mention anything about how you spent Pesach, nor about the receipt of my letter. I trust that you had not only a Kosher Pesach, but also a happy and inspiring one, and may the happiness and inspiration of Pesach last you throughout the year.

Hoping to hear good news from you,

With blessing,

By Nissan Mindel