Igrot Kodesh · Letter 2637 — Shidduchim

B"H

7 Iyar 5714,
Brooklyn.

Greetings and blessing (this letter is addressed to a woman),

A few weeks ago, Hashem showed His Goodness, and He realized for you what should be called a miracle (a miraculous healing). This should arouse a feeling of gratitude toward the One Who "heals all flesh and works wonders." And this feeling must take the form willed by Hashem Himself and expressed in His holy Torah for all Yidden*, whether man or woman.

I therefore hoped that this would awaken in you the will to wear a sheitel* (see letters no. 1892, 2434, 2463 and 2555), which is a means of publicly sanctifying the Name of Hashem. And if it seems that it is difficult to do so, that simply means that the gratitude expressed to Hashem in this way is even more important. One must therefore do it with even more joy.

I hoped that your gratitude to Hashem would also express itself, in a manner conformable to His Will expressed in His holy Torah, toward others, by reinforcing your action to make them acquire Jewish values in the best way, in particular in everything that is accomplished publicly — that is, in the presence of many persons.

Consequently, I was very surprised by a rumor that has reached me. I have been told that you interpreted the miracle that befell you as a normal event. Not only have you not expressed your gratitude and your praise before the Goodness of Hashem, you do not give proof of more sensitivity and enthusiasm for Jewish practice — but, much more, you make use of the influence you exert upon your loved ones to lead them to rise up against the Shulchan Aruch*.

When one marries off one's daughter, one is conscious that this wedding is at the very basis of her life. Now, you wish that a wedding take place in a manner contrary to the view of Hashem expressed in the Shulchan Aruch*. Moreover, you fear that the bride herself wishes to conform to halachah*, and, because of this, you attempt to convince the parents of the necessity of transgressing it. Behold how you express your gratitude after the miracle that Hashem accomplished for you!

I want to hope that this rumor is not founded and does not correspond to reality. Nevertheless, it has reached me, and everything is an effect of Divine Providence. I therefore think it is my duty to write you these few lines. I hope to receive from you good news — the fact that you wear a sheitel*, at least starting from today, in conformity with the practice of virtuous Jewish women, and that you exert a positive influence upon your environment in general, and upon the closest in particular, so that all conform their conduct to the requirements of the Shulchan Aruch*.

Hashem will grant you success.

With my blessing,

For the Rebbe shlita*, the secretary,