By the Grace of G-d17th of Sivan, 5724Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and blessing:

Rabbi Hodokov showed me your brother’s letter, which is returned herewith. I appreciate very much your thoughtfulness in letting me see this letter. And while its contents revive deep pain in view of the present situation of our brethren in that part of the world¹, it also serves as a great encouragement in that it confirms the tenacious loyalty and self-sacrifice of our brethren to preserve the Jewish way of life, under the most adverse circumstances. It was gratifying to note that your brother has also been personally touched by what he saw and heard. I did not know of this trait in his character before, but apparently this is in the tradition of your family.

I wish to take advantage of this opportunity, in accordance with the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov which my father-in-law of saintly memory often quoted, to the effect that everything that a Jew sees and hears should serve as an indication how to better fulfill one’s purpose in life which is נבראתי לשמש את קוני (משנה, סוף קדושין). Especially in view of your influence, direct and indirect, particularly in the circles of the younger generation, where efforts to influence them promise better results. The point I wish to make is that I hope you will use the contents of your brother’s letter, I mean the message which it contains in the way of a מכש״כ וקל וחומר , as applied to conditions in this country. If under such adverse circumstances, and constant peril of deportation etc. which is often even worse than prison and torture, and as our Sages said אלמלי נגדוה לחנני‘ מישאל ועזרי‘ כו‘ (כתובות לג, ב), yet there are many Jews who are prepared to risk everything in order to preserve Torah and Mitzvoth, how much more so should every Jew in this country be eager to observe the Torah and Mitzvoth, inasmuch as, thank G-d, it is possible to observe everything here in freedom, and where the only obstacle is an inferiority complex of thinking what some reform circles may say about him, or some customer, or some non-observant person etc. who might consider him a fanatic, or because he might jeopardize his chances to become a member in a certain golf club, or become a president of an organization and the like. Even if the strict observance of the Torah and Mitzvoth might entail a certain monetary sacrifice, surely this is hardly a sacrifice to be considered in relation to the eternal values and eternal truth. As a matter of fact if a person should be truly honest with himself, he would have to recognize that the true reason for giving up these true values has actually nothing to do with self-preservation, and compelling circumstances of environment etc., but is simply self-indulgence in "the pleasures of the flesh". There is no need to elaborate on this further, especially as it is a painful subject.

Having just observed the Festival of Mattan Torah which, as every festival, renews the original influence and inspiration of those sacred days, may each and every one of us, in the midst of all our people, be inspired and influenced in the utmost degree, in the spirit of Naaseh before v'Nishmah, as at the time of the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

With blessing

M. Schneerson

P.S. Needless to say I am very sorry that the apprehensions which I expressed in regard to certain topics which I discussed with you in the company of . . . and . . . have remained at a so-called status quo, which really means that it is worse than that. Even the insults which have been dealt after the notorious Letter . . . seems to have had little (?) effect. If there have been, or will be, further developments, I trust that you will let me know and many thanks in advance.