By the Grace of G-d11th of Adar, 5728Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

In your letter you pose the question, how can Jews survive as a minority?

It is true that the Jewish people have been facing this problem throughout its long history of dispersion in various lands, and under varying conditions, often from one extreme to another. Occasionally there were faint-hearted individuals, sometimes even groups, who thought that the only possible way of survival is through assimilation, G-d forbid. But the facts of life have dispelled any such illusion, because the hostile environment itself has rejected Jews under any form of disguise, and have perhaps resented even more any effort on the part of Jews to gate-crash into their society.

Our long history in the dispersion has amply demonstrated that the only factor of Jewish survival has always been, and continues to be, Jewish adherence to the Torah and Mitzvot, which has given the Jewish people their unique character and strength. It goes without saying that what we are talking about is the daily Jewish life in accordance with the Torah and Mitzvot, and not just being “a good Jew at heart.” On the other hand, any effort to imitate the non-Jewish environment is bound to meet with the rebuttal, and the Jew who persists in pushing his way where he is not wanted, will sooner or later hear a scornful “dirty Jew,” etc. With the experience we have had in our own generation, in some countries which were regarded as the most advanced and cultured, it is surely belaboring the point to enlarge upon it.

Wishing you a happy and inspiring Purim,

P.S. Referring to your writing about your acquaintance with a nun, and asking my opinion about this relationship, let me say this:

If the nun is really honest in her beliefs, she must be faithful to her calling, which is to try to influence others, even to the point of conversion. On the other hand, if she is not doing this, then she is not truly honest with herself. And although there are nuns and certain religious orders which formally and officially do not engage in missionary activity, it is nevertheless a fact that inwardly and essentially they are duty bound to missionize and influence anyone with whom they come in contact.

In the light of the above you can judge for yourself what should your attitude be towards the above relationship.

Needless to say, this does not mean that there is any need to be antagonistic, or harbor any feeling of hostility, or engage in any debates or quarrels, etc., for the ways of the Torah are ways of pleasantness and peace in relating to any human being. Nevertheless, there is a far cry between a correct attitude and actual friendship.

All that has been said above would apply, of course, to any place. But it certainly is valid in such a large city as New York, where there are many Jewish women with whom to develop a friendly and a close relationship, women who unfortunately have not had the benefit of religious background of Jewish education, and consequently woefully neglected the Jewish education of their children and undermined their Jewish homes, etc. Here is a challenge and an opportunity to befriend them and bring them closer to their Father in Heaven, and help save them and their children and their homes. As a matter of fact, this is an area where the fortunate Jewish woman who knows what the Jewish way of life should be can often accomplish a great deal more than her male counterpart because it is much easier for one woman to approach another. Surely every available moment for friendship and socializing should be utilized in this direction.