By the Grace of G-d12th of Adar II, 5741Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. . . .
Geneve
Switzerland
Blessing and Greeting:
Your letter of the 19th of Adar I, reached me with considerable delay. As requested, I will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart's desires for good.
Although you write that you were not brought up in a religious home, I trust it is unnecessary to emphasize to you at length that regardless of what a Jew’s upbringing is, it can never change a Jew’s essence, which is rooted in the Torah and Mitzvoth. As our Sages expressed it, what water is for a fish, Jewishness is for a Jew.1
Therefore, whatever one's way of life happened to be in the past, a Jew can always return to his/her natural element, namely the life of Torah and Mitzvoth. And even if there may be some difficulties, and even if the difficulties are not imaginary or exaggerated, it is certain that G-d provides the necessary capacities to overcome any and all such difficulties in order to live up to His Will.
If you come from a family of Kohanim (to judge by the name), the above applies even more forcefully in your case, since the Kohanim have been endowed with special ability and relevance to holiness in Jewish life.
If there are specific questions or problems as to how to order the everyday life in full accord with the Shulchan Aruch, it is customary to discuss such matters with a practicing competent Rabbi, with whom everything can be discussed confidentially, and he can provide the proper Torah guidance.
As for your mentioning that caution must be exercised in regard to making demands upon you, etc. - surely this is not a case of one Jew making demands of another Jew, but it is a question of what G-d demands and expects of every Jew. And since G-d expects of every Jew a life in full accord with His Torah and Mitzvoth, it is certain that He provides the capacities to conduct such a life.
As we are approaching the festival of Purim, it is timely to note that the Megillah is called not after Mordecai, nor after Mordecai and Esther jointly, but solely after Esther - Megillas Esther. This significant tribute to Jewish womanhood clearly emphasizes the historic role of Jewish women in Jewish life, and should certainly be a source of inspiration to every Jewish woman.
Wishing you and yours a joyous and inspiring Purim,
With blessing,
Notes and sources
1) Berachos 61b.
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.