By the Grace of G-d5th of Tishrei, 5731Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I am in receipt of your letter and although the time is not very convenient for lengthy correspondence, I trust that the following lines will adequately answer your letter.

You write about your present frame of mind and lack of fulfillment in having to devote all your time to domestic responsibilities, taking care of the children, etc.

It is a matter of common sense, as well as considerable emphasis in our Torah, Toras Chayim and Toras Emes, that a woman finds her fulfillment precisely as the Akeres Habayis and that is the area where she can truly accomplish great and wonderful things, if she only desires it. It is written that “G-d created man straight, but he seeks to make calculations.”¹ Thus, in the present abnormal times it has become a prevalent, though none the less erroneous, view that the wife must seek employment and by all means outside the home. To be sure, if there was some employment that could be done at home to supplement the parnosso, that would be all right, as is also mentioned in the well known chapter of Eyshes Chayil.² However, some women insist upon outside employment, so that the matter has become quite customary and “second nature,” to such an extent that it has resulted in a complete reversal of values, making the essential secondary and the secondary essential, as if a woman can be regarded a real person only if she goes against her nature and against the natural order of the world.

The above would be true even if the woman has only one or two children to take care of and no other duties in regard to spreading Yiddishkeit in the proper and fitting manner of a Jewish woman, in accordance with the verse, “All the dignity of the king’s daughter is inward.”³ For surely the highest function and greatest happiness of a woman is to be a wife and mother and take care of the home and the children. How much more so when there are, thank G-d, more than a minimum number of children, especially when they are at an age when they are entirely dependent upon the attention and loving care of the mother and when one lives in a place where to keep a Jewish home is in itself a challenge, not as it used to be in the olden days and different circumstances, and when one has, in addition, the great responsibility and privilege to strengthen Yiddishkeit with the light and warmth of chasidus. All this certainly requires the mobilization of all the woman’s capacities, ingenuity, concentration and peace of mind and there is no greater satisfaction than being able to accomplish all the above. It would seem rather doubtful whether, after all the above, there would be an excess of energy and interest to divert to outside employment and the like.

Nevertheless, if you feel that taking part-time employment, especially in the area of chinuch, which is of course related to the primary duties and responsibilities of the Jewish woman at home, would not interfere with your responsibilities as Akeres Habayis, it would be all right, provided you keep in mind that such employment is only secondary and supplemental to the essential happiness of a Jewish woman as mentioned above. There is much more to be said on this subject matter, but I trust that the above lines will suffice.

With prayerful wishes for a Chasimo u'Gmar Cbasimo Tovo to you and all yours,

With blessing,

P.S. As indicated, I would have no objections to your obtaining part-time employment if you think it will have a beneficial effect upon your general state of mind.