By the Grace of G-d21st of Iyar, 5734Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I just received your letter and enclosures from Eretz Yisroel. As there is no indication how long you intended to stay in Eretz Yisroel, this letter is sent to you to your home address.

First of all, and to begin with a blessing, in connection with your celebration of your 70th birthday. I send you prayerful wishes for a long life and good health, filled with productive activities in the area of Taharas Hamishpocho and strengthening Yiddishkeit in general.

I am particularly pleased to note that the celebration of your birthday was linked with the presentation of a Sefer Torah, which makes my previous letter to you particularly timely and significant.² It strengthens my confidence that you will accept my suggestion about increased "Kvias Ittim" for Torah as explained at length in my previous letter.

Moreover, as in the case of your activities to build ever more Mikvahs, not being content with the past accomplishments but always ambitious to establish more and more, which is the right approach. I trust this will also be the case with the said "Kvias Ittim." This would also be in keeping with the present period of Sefiras Ho'Omer which, as is well known, reminds us of, and inspires us with, the great longing of our ancestors for Mattan Torah.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson

P.S. As usual, I hope to receive from you definite advice as to my status in regard to my symbolic participation in each new Mikvah.³ At any rate, I am enclosing a check on account of several, and if I am still in arrears, you will surely let me know.

Since writing the above, your letter of May 10th, and enclosures, were also received.