Igrot Kodesh · Letter 2348 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H

17 Teves 5714,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I was happy to learn from your mother that your son has just had a daughter. May Hashem grant that her parents raise her in a positive and Jewish manner, in health and joy.

Obviously, in the present era, parents must also discuss with their children matters which previously did not even arise. In this way they fulfill their mission and strengthen themselves.

I mean that one must explain to the children that their home must be Jewish, that the kitchen must be kosher, that they must observe Shabbos*, taharas hamishpachah*, and the use of the mikveh*. Generally one does not obtain such a result at one go. This should not prevent the parents from broaching this subject on different occasions.

Indeed, when one sees a child who wants to hurt himself physically, one does everything possible to prevent him. It is therefore quite clear that if he wishes to cause himself suffering both physically and morally, one must speak to him on different occasions until convincing him.

To make this easier and quicker, the best manner of proceeding is generally to formulate a request, in the appropriate way and with the necessary explanations, rather than to argue. One must, before anything else, emphasize that Jewish conduct is not meant to do Hashem a favor. Rather, it is the means to a happy life. A Jew has the duty to walk the path of Torah* and mitzvos*.

Certainly one can observe that some do not keep all these mitzvos* and yet pass an agreeable day. Two remarks may be made on this. First, it is not easy to determine what another person feels. One naturally feels embarrassed to recount what is not positive, especially when one knows oneself responsible for such a situation, having adopted an attitude opposed to the Torah*. Moreover, the Torah* explains that Hashem is very patient. He wishes to grant a Jew as much time as possible, so that he may finally become aware of the truth and rejoin the straight path.

Sometimes several years are necessary before one understands how much of a pity it is to deviate from the Torah*. To ensure that nothing bad will happen, chas veshalom*, and to protect oneself, it is therefore preferable to act now, even if one thinks that this evil cannot occur for several years.

I do not wish to say more, and I hope that these lines will suffice to convince you to intervene energetically with your children, with closeness and in the proper manner, to draw them closer to Jewish practice.

May Hashem help you.

With my blessing,

For the Rebbe shlita*,

the secretary,