By the Grace of G-d 11 Adar II, 5741 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am in receipt of your letter of March 2, in which you describe your situation and conclude that you wish to make a motion in the right direction.

Your basic problem is one that has often been discussed, and is really self-evident, though apparently you are unaware of it. Briefly:

There is only one way for a Jew to live a harmonious and self-fulfilling life with peace of mind, and that is the way of the Torah and Mitzvos, which are for a Jew what water is for a fish. A fish that gets out of its element (water) will obviously feel disturbed and must immediately return to its element. A Jew who gets out of his element (the Torah and Mitzvos which are “our life and the length of our days”), may not feel the effect instantly, but his Jewish soul will not give him rest, subconsciously at any rate, and by the grace of G-d he is given time to return sooner or later, but the sooner the better, of course.

One of the basics of Jewish life is to marry a Jewish partner in life and raise a family on the foundations of Torah and Mitzvos. An alliance with a non-Jewish person would be a most serious calamity, not only from Torah viewpoint alone. It is also a matter of common sense, because of the deep-rooted hereditary differences through countless generations, which are bound to erupt into all kinds of complications, as statistics amply verify. It would also be grossly unfair on the part of either party to involve the other into such a dangerous situation, especially if there is real feeling for one another.

I cannot advise you in specific terms, lacking the details which in any case cannot be adequately conveyed in a letter. I can only advise you, indeed urge you, to consult immediately with a competent Orthodox Rabbi and explain to him all the details personally, and he will then be able to advise and guide you.

With blessing for joyous and inspiring Purim,

M. Schneerson