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Shalom uBrocho:

This is to confirm receipt of your letter.

Judging by your concern for the religious and spiritual situation in Eretz Yisrael, and in view of your position as a teacher, I trust that you, for your part, are doing everything possible to strengthen and disseminate Torah Yiddishkeit in your surroundings.

Though there is much to be done, every effort must begin with a single act, or even word. According to our Torah, Torat Chayim, even one good deed and one good word may tip the scale of merit (kaf z'chut) - as the Rambam in fact rules in his Code.¹ And all the more so, since “one good deed leads to another.”²

If this is the rule at all times, it is even more compelling in the present day and age of confusion and misconceptions.

In reply to your question as to why some prominent individuals remain in Chutz la’Aretz when there is so much to be done in Eretz Yisrael - you seem to overlook the fact that there are situations where individuals can accomplish more for Eretz Yisrael from outside than from within the country - in addition to doing their duty to help preserve Jewish life in Chutz la’Aretz. In the final analysis, the majority of Jews live in the Diaspora, and if it were not for their spiritual, economic and political aid to Eretz Yisrael on all levels, things in the Holy Land would obviously be much more difficult. One must, then, view the situation from a much broader perspective and here, too, the Torah is the true guide.

With blessing,