By the Grace of G-d7th of Cheshvan, 5745Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. . . .
Ramat Hanasi
Bat Yam
Blessing and Greeting:
I received your letter of the 23rd of Oct., requesting a blessing for your children, . . .and . . .
As requested, I will remember you and your children in prayer when visiting the holy resting place of my father-in-law of saintly memory.
There is surely no need to point out to you that nowadays it often happens that children are more likely to be influenced by friends than directly by their parents. Therefore, it would be advisable to get some friends to speak to your daughter and son, preferably in a way that would not be obvious that they have been asked to do so, and to speak to them again and again until there will be a noticeable improvement in the desired direction.
It is also important to remember that all members of a Jewish family are like one unit, one body, where a benefit to one part is a benefit to all. Therefore, when members of a family, particularly parents, strengthen their own adherence to the Torah and Mitzvoth in the everyday life and conduct, though this is a "must" in any case, it will have a good effect, directly and indirectly, on the children to become more religious in their everyday life and conduct. And, of course, there is always room for improvement in all matters of goodness and holiness, Torah and Mitzvoth.
May HaShem grant that you should have good news to report in all above.
With blessing,
Notes and sources
Source: Unsent letter
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive
Note: The above letter, found in the archives of the Rebbe’s Secretariat, was dictated by the Rebbe and transcribed by a secretary. The final version of this letter, however, was not reviewed or signed by the Rebbe and was never sent to the intended recipient, for reasons unknown.
The above should be taken into account while studying this letter.