By the Grace of G-d10th of Shevat, 5713Brooklyn 13, N.Y.

Dear . . .

Today, the Yahrtzeit of my father-in-law of sainted memory, is not letter-writing time for me. Nevertheless, having just received your letter with the shocking news that you are not putting on Tefillin, I felt I had to write to you with all possible speed.

I want you to know that by not putting on Tefillin you are doing a disservice to yourself, your wife and all to whom you are near and dear. We have heard it often from my father-in-law of sainted memory, that putting on Tefillin brings with it special protection, especially in times of danger, such as war.¹ By not putting on Tefillin, you are jeopardizing your safety, doing an injustice to your family, and rendering also a disservice to the American army in which you are serving.

In the question of protection, it is not necessary, nor wise, to wait until one understands how the safety device operates. The important thing is that experience proves it to be a safety device, and such was our experience with putting on Tefillin during the last world war. and the previous one.

I am therefore hastening my reply to you in the fervent hope that you will lose not another day and will begin immediately to put on Tefillin each working day of the week (except Shabbos) for at least a few moments. I say a 'few moments’ because that is all that it takes and that short period of time is available to the soldier under all circumstances during the course of a day, from sunrise to sunset. May G-d help you to be able to put on the Tefillin with joy and in good health and in the merit of it bless you with protection so that you will in due course return home safe and sound.

Hoping to hear good news from you in connection with the above and in every way.

With blessing