By the Grace of G-d3rd of Teves, 5744Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mrs. . . .
Blessing and Greeting:
Your letter of Oct. 3rd reached me with considerable delay. In it you write about an adoption, etc.
Inasmuch as adopting a child is connected with various complications from the Torah viewpoint, and also psychological problems on the part of the natural parents, etc., it is advisable to discuss the whole matter with a competent Orthodox Rabbi.
In any case, it would be advisable that you and your husband should take upon yourselves the upkeep of a Jewish child at a Yeshiva dormitory, which is, in a deeper sense, truly an act of adoption, as our Torah, Toras Chaim, declares that "Whoever helps teach someone's child Torah, is deemed as giving birth to the child."1
With blessing,
Notes and sources
1) Sanhedrin 19b.
Source: Unsent letter
Published: Teshura (Oster-Vishedsky, 10 Kislev 5783), by Rebbe Responsa
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.