By the Grace of G-d16th of Menachem Av, 5736Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I duly received your letter of the . . . in which you write about your manufacturing Yarmulkes, etc.

No doubt you know that it is explained in the teachings of Chasidus, and is also a matter of common sense which can be easily understood through a little reflection, that the world in which we live has a Creator and Master, Who created everything as needed, without waste or deficiency. Hence: when a person engages in something which is superfluous, it is bound to create a deficiency in another area: in terms of time and energy.

No doubt you also know that it is written in our Holy Scriptures 'שונא מתנות יחי ("One who is averse to gifts, enjoys life"). Thus, although your thought of making two Yarmulkas for me is certainly appreciated; it would not be appropriate in the present case for the two reasons mentioned above.

However, since you had the good intention, it should not be allowed to go by without something practical. I therefore want to take this opportunity to dwell briefly on the concept of covering the head, which is connected with Yiras Shomayim. By covering the head, we express in a symbolic way that while the highest thing of a human being is the intellect which is housed in the head, we cover it to express our complete submission to a still higher, and infinitely so, Intellect, namely G-d’s, and are prepared and willing to accept G-d’s directives without question. This, indeed, is the great principle of Naaseh (we will do), before v’Nishma (we will understand), with which we accepted the Torah and Mitzvoth at Mt. Sinai.

In light of the above, I hope and trust that your above mentioned intention will be expressed in a growing effort to influence Jews in matters of Yiras Shomayim, both by words coming from the heart, as well as by a shining example - in addition to what you are promoting indirectly through the making of Yarmulkes.

Wishing you Hatzlocho in all above,

With blessing,