By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5740 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing: 

I duly received your letter and, as requested, will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your hearts' desires for good in all the matters mentioned in your letter. 

With regard to the central point - as to the advisability of moving to . . . where there are greater possibilities for Yiddishkeit than in your present location, although this would entail certain difficulties in connection with the doctor's practice. 

There is - in addition to the matter of the daily commuting you mention - a further important consideration, namely, that the state of Yiddishkeit in your present neighborhood largely depends on you. Thus, should you move, the state of Yiddishkeit in your present neighborhood is likely to deteriorate steadily. In light of this, I believe it would be better for you and all concerned to invest the effort which the move would have required, into advancing the level of Torah observance in your present neighborhood by a more intensive endeavor than heretofore, and also attracting orthodox families to move into your area, where the economic opportunities are presumably as good as elsewhere. 

At any rate, it would be advisable to make this your program for one year. If by the end of this period, Moshiach should still tarry, G-d forbid, and the situation in your neighborhood does not appreciably change for the better, you could then consider the matter again. 

At this time, with the approach of Shovuos, the Festival of Mattan Torah, I extend to you and all yours prayerful wishes for a joyous and inspiring Yom Tov and the traditional Chassidic blessing of “Receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness.” This is particularly relevant to the Akeres Habayis, the wife and mother, in view of the significant role of Jewish women in connection with Mattan Torah and the fact that the children were made guarantors that the Torah would be kept and cherished for all times. 

With esteem and blessing,