By the Grace of G-d10th of Menachem Av, 5734Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I duly received your letter and the previous one.

Your decision to study in Gateshead Teachers’ Seminary is of course a very good one. In addition to your own advancement it will enhance your ability to spread Yiddishkeit in your surroundings later on and this is the imperative of the present age of confusion and misconception of values, etc. As a student of Rabbi . . ., there is surely no need to elaborate on this to you.

With regard to the inner conflicts about which you write, you know of course, that one of the basic instructions of our Torah, Toras Chayim, is תמים תהי’ עם ה’ אלקיך.¹ Which means that a Jew should go about his daily life with perfect faith in G-d. The best approach to many such inner conflicts, which are not unusual for a person of your age, is not to attempt to solve them at this time, but to postpone them for later. In the meantime one should concentrate on broadening and deepening the channels of Yiras Hashem and Ahavas Hashem and conduct the daily life in accord with the Will of G-d. In addition to widening thereby the channels of G-d’s blessings, this also illuminates the heart and mind to see things in their true perspective, in the light of Ner-Mitzvah vTorah-Or.² And since you wisely decided to pursue your studies in Gateshead, you will certainly find the atmosphere most conducive to achieve the above in spiritual tranquility and peace of mind.

As for the idea of fatalism, which you mention, surely you know that this is completely at variance with the two basic tenets of our belief in G-d: (a) complete freedom and choice of action, on which the whole idea of reward and retribution rests and (b) that G-d is the Essence of goodness, hence He has given us the Torah, called “Lekach Tov"³ and the mitzvos, to live by - the good life, worthy of its name. Every advancement in Torah and Mitzvos enables one the better to utilize the great gift of freedom of action for the maximum good, in this life also. I trust that this too requires no elaboration to you.

I take this opportunity to express the hope that you have heard about the special five Mitzvah-campaigns which I have been urging recently, emphasizing also that women and girls can, and ought to, participate in them. I trust that you are doing your share.

As requested I will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good and may G-d grant that you should have good news to report in all matters mentioned above.

With blessing,