By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5732 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mrs. Ruth Benjamin
3E, Killarney Gardens
First St.
Killarney
Johannesburg, So. Africa
Blessing and Greeting:
I trust you have already received my reply to your previous correspondence, and this is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 30th of January.
Enclosed is a copy of a message, which I trust you will find interesting, and will be able to use it in a suitable way.1
As we have now entered the auspicious month of Adar, bringing an increased measure of joy to all Jews, may this be so also in your case, and may you have good news to report.
Wishing you and yours a happy and inspiring Purim,
With blessing,
In the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe שליט"א
By (secretary)
Notes and sources
Dr. Ruth Benjamin was a South African-born clinical psychologist and author who converted to Judaism in her twenties. She developed a strong relationship with the Rebbe, consulting him in person on a number of sensitive issues—such as helping both Jewish and non-Jewish patients who were struggling with the meaning of life. Over her life, she authored over forty works, including children’s novels and popular psychology books, all with the aim of revealing the beauty of Judaism and mitzvos.
For an interview with Dr. Benjamin discussing her relationship with the Rebbe, see “The Power of the Pen” in My Story, vol. 1 (Jewish Educational Media, 2017), pp. 243–248.
Additional letters addressed to her include those dated Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 5732; 6 Adar I, 5733; 22 Iyar, 5733; 3 Cheshvan, 5734; 16 Cheshvan, 5734; 29 Nissan, 5734; 3 Teves, 5735; 9 Adar, 5735; 11 Nissan, 5735; 15 Menachem Av, 5735; Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5736; Days of Elul, 5737; 14 Tammuz, 5738; 16 Shevat, 5739; 28 Shevat, 5739; 8 Sivan, 5739; 7 Adar, 5740; Tammuz, 5740; 26 Elul, 5740; Days before Succos, 5741; Kislev, 5741; 14 Elul, 5741; Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5742; 14 Nissan, 5744.
1) See letter dated 17 Shevat, 5732.