By the Grace of G-d10th of Tammuz, 5739Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I am in receipt of your (undated) note, in which you write that your life is meaningless, etc.

Needless to say, it is most surprising that you should entertain any such thought. Surely you have heard our Torah, called Toras Chaim and Toras Emes, meaning that it is the Jew's true guide in life, and reveals the truth in everything, declares that "a person to toil is born." This means that the purpose of life on this earth is to make it a fitting abode for the Divine Presence, which requires that it should be a world where justice, decency and benevolence reign supreme. And everyone is expected to work for the realization of these ideals in the maximum degree - first and foremost in one's own personal life, and through influencing the environment in this direction. For a Jew the purpose in life is clearly spelled out in the Torah and is realized through the everyday life and conduct in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch. And such a life is meaningful and worthy, good, secure and harmonious.

Moreover, since this is what G-d requires of every Jew, it is certain that He provides the capacity to live up to His Will, for He would not require anything that is beyond human capacity.

For a person to think otherwise and disregard the great Divine task, which is both a privilege and obligation, is like a soldier who decides that he is worthless and useless and therefore will abandon his position at the front.

All the above is so obvious that there is no need to elaborate on it, but only to emphasize again that the essential thing is action, namely an active and full life in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch, and to dismiss altogether any thoughts and notions which are only the work of the Yetzer.

I trust that your next letter will be in keeping with the above, and may G-d grant you Hatzlocho.

With blessing,