By the Grace of G‑d Shushan Purim, 5723 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

Shortly before Purim, I was pleased to received your letter of February 26th.

I would like to comment on your reference, at the conclusion of your letter, to age affecting capacity, and the need for encouragement etc. You surely know the teaching of our Sages of the Mishna (end of Kinnim) to the effect that those who live in the way of the Torah, the older they get the more stable is their understanding. Moreover, on the authority of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochoi (Pirke Ovos 6:8) we are told that “old age and a hoary head are (among other qualities) comely to the righteous and comely to the world.” For, with the years comes a deeper knowledge of the wisdom of the Torah and significance of the Mitzvoth, a knowledge which is reflected not only in their fuller grasp and comprehension, but primarily in the actual daily practice and experience of the Divine precept, as our Sages emphasize that the essential thing is the deed.¹

Having just celebrated the joyous festival of Purim, when, as the Megillah states, there was “light, joy, gladness and honor”² for the Jews, may it be so in your case, in the midst of all our people; “light, joy, gladness and honor” - both in the ordinary sense of these words, as well as in their deeper meaning as interpreted by our Sages, namely “light, this is Torah,”³ etc.

With blessing,