March 11th, 1943

Dear Mr. Cowen:

With regard to our telephone conversation the other day, in reference to the very praiseworthy observation made by your son about the pertinence of the sentence 'This is the portion of a wicked man, etc.’ to Grace after meals, and the custom of 'mayim achronim' in general.

In case my explanation over the telephone was not sufficiently clear, I want to put it down in writing, and incidentally have a record of it for future reference.

* * *

Generally, all Jewish customs and precepts have a double purpose, namely, to bring moral as well as physical benefit to the Jew who is observant of his duties.

This is true also of the precepts of 'mayin achronim' - the washing of the finger tips after the meal, prior to saying Grace.

The hygienic value of this custom is obvious - to wash off any impurities that may have soiled the finger tips during the meal.

There is, however, a symbolic meaning attached to this custom. Briefly it is this: Food and drink are of course a vital necessity to all living beings. The Jewish view is that eating and drinking is not an end in itself, but a means to an end - to have strength to fulfill one’s duties towards G-d and towards fellow-man. Thus, this purely biological process assumes a higher meaning, distinguishing it from the eating and drinking of animals. Conversely, eating and drinking for their own sake, as a matter of bodily indulgence pure and simple, is an indication of the low moral standard of the person. Moreover, gluttony and inebriety might well be the source of even greater evils. (Note, that while the Jewish law does not hold an infant - in the legal sense of the term - punishable for a misdemeanor, gluttony and inebriety in childhood, under certain conditions, is a capital crime! (Deut. XXI, 18-21) Because, as our sages put it, an incorrigible child like that is bound to turn out a highwayman in later years).

Now, when the Jew has eaten in accordance with the Torah - ’thou shalt eat and be satisfied and thou shalt bless the Lord thy G-d...' - he recalls Chapter 20 of Job, in which the indulgences of the wicked man, especially gluttony, are forcefully condemned and the inevitable punishment is vividly described. In this chapter it is explained that the prosperity of the wicked is short lived and their enjoyment is brief! "the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment... he shall fly away like a dream and shall not be found". As to his excessive feeding - "his food is turned in his bowels... he swallows riches and vomits them up again... nothing is left of his eating... in the fullness of his sufficiency he suffers..."

Recalling this chapter, the Jew quotes the last sentence of it: "This is the portion of a wicked man from G-d: and the heritage appointed unto him by G-d". Thereupon he proceeds with 'mayim achronim', symbolizing that he washes his hands of any 'impurities of purpose’ that dominate the table of the wicked man.

Having done this, he says: "And he spoke unto me: This is the table that is before the Lord", for the Jew’s table is comparable to the altar of sacrifice, as our sages said (Berachot 55,1). (Hence also the custom of dipping bread in salt, as all sacrifices of olden days had to be accompanied by a salt offering).

Grace then follows.

* * *

I want to express once again my gratification at your son's keen interest in every detail of the Jew's daily life. 'Would there were more like him in Israel'.

We have just received the second edition of the Manual, and I had several copies sent to you. I trust you will use your good offices in the future to secure additional patronage for the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch work from Mr. Stulman and your other friends. It is not our custom to make appeals, but we must rely upon the spontaneous response of friends who appreciate the importance of this kind of work for our Jewish youth in America.

With kindest personal regards.

Very sincerely yours,

Rabbi M. Schneerson

Chmn. Exec. Comm.