5730

Greeting and Blessing:

After the long interval, I was pleased to receive your recent letter.

Thank you very much for the good news in regard to the progress of the mikvah. May G-d grant that all things advance at an increased tempo, until completion, with all the hiddurim. I refer to hiddurim in the external aspects as well, something of which my father-in-law, of saintly memory, often emphasized the need, especially in regard to a mikvah, where the work of beautification should extend to all the adjoining rooms. For there are individuals for whom external beauty and comfort are important factors in the observance of the mitzvah. And whether they are right or wrong, it is a fact that has to be reckoned with, and nobody should be provided with an excuse to neglect such a vital mitzvah. Needless to say, no external hiddurim should be introduced at the expense of essential hiddurim, but surely both can be achieved.

I read with particular interest your reference to your efforts in behalf of your uncle. You write that you think that you have not succeeded even in stirring his conscience. However, while you may not have noticed any visible signs of it, there can be no doubt that you have in some way touched his innermost consciousness. According to the Rambam¹, a Jew, regardless of his professed attitudes, or even his conduct, always retains an innermost desire to submit to the will of G-d. The Rambam, who was a great physician, of the spirit as well as of the body, can be relied upon in such matters. He explains this phenomenon by pointing to the fact that in some Jews the innermost consciousness and essence may some-times be covered up and hidden, so that the individual himself may not be aware of what his true essence is. However, sooner or later this innermost aspect and essence of the Jew must assert itself and come to the fore. When it does, the individual will be grateful to any and all who have helped bring it about, and who have done so a year, a month or even a day sooner than he could have done so by his own unaided efforts.

Thus, this is clearly the responsibility of every Jew towards every other Jew, since all Jews are like the parts of one body. Certainly it is the responsibility of one who is a relative. And wherever the responsibility is the greater, it is also certain that additional capacities have been given to carry it out.

In light of the above, you will understand my feeling that you should maintain contact with your uncle from time to time, and be confident that eventually your sincere approach, and words coming from the heart, will find the proper response.

With blessing,