By the Grace of G-d10th of Menchem Av, 5734Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. . . .
Greeting and Blessing:
I received with some delay your letter pursuant to our conversation, in which I expressed my opinion that it would not be advisable for you to make any changes, inasmuch as some aspects are not quite clear in your own mind, and one change might lead to another, etc. However, since the subject of discussion was divorce, you now ask my advice with regard to separation.
But in light of the above reason, separation would also be a change in the same sense. As for your mentioning that it would clarify your obligations, especially financial obligations, to your wife and family, you will surely bear with me if I say that this is really irrelevant, since a person like you does not require the Law or a judge to fix your obligations, of which, I am certain, you will be mindful without outside intervention.
May I also mention a point which may well illustrate why such changes are not desirable (among other reasons). Suppose your son becomes a chosson: it obviously makes a big difference in a shidduch when the parents are not separated. Other weighty reasons could be cited, but suffice what has been mentioned.
Since your letter reached me with some delay, the reply, at any rate, is sent you via Special Delivery.
With blessing,
Notes and sources
Published: The Letter and the Spirit, Vol 5 (Nissan Mindel Publications, 2019), 89.
Note: Letters printed in "The Letters and the Spirit" are from the Archives of Rabbi Nissan Mindel A"H, the Rebbe's personal secretary entrusted with writing up the Rebbe's orally dictated responses. The “Nissan Mindel Archives” are comprised of secretarial copies, including first drafts, and may have subsequently been published with editorial changes. Therefore the letters as they appear in the book may not be the final signed version.