By the Grace of G-dErev Shabbos Mevorchim Elul, 5729Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

After not hearing from you for a very long time, I was pleased to receive your (undated) letter, in which you write chapter headings about the other members of your family.

First of all, I trust that you received my comparatively long letter, which I wrote to you in reply to your previous correspondence, but which you have not acknowledged.

With regard to your questions in the present letter, clearly you ought to continue your studies at the Yeshiva at Kfar Chabad, if at all possible. Indeed, you ought to redouble your efforts to make consistent advancement, in both the learning and the spirit of the Yeshiva. As for your Influencing the other members of your family, it would seem that your influence would be greater through correspondence and your being in Kfar Chabad, by writing to them what it has done, and is doing, for you, etc. Moreover, I trust that you may be able also to induce the younger members of your family to follow in your footsteps, and come to study in Kfar Chabad. I gather from your letter that your parents would not oppose this.

Now that we are about to usher in the month of Elul, you surely know the significance of this month, particularly in the light of the illustration of the "king in the field" by the Alter Rebbe. The month of Elul, the Alter Rebbe explains, is the time when G-d is particularly accessible and benevolent and gracious, as a king is when he goes out into the field to meet his subjects. For at such a time even the common laborer can approach the king in his work clothes, and the way he is, present to the king a personal petition which the king accepts graciously and grants the request. I trust you will take the fullest advantage of this auspicious time.

May G-d grant the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good in all the matters about which you write, and may you have good news to report.

With blessing,