Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4198 — Chinuch

B"H

3 Nissan 5716

Brooklyn

I greet you and bless you,

A) You ask me whether you should pray while covering your head with the tallis*, since no one does so in your shul* and such behavior would therefore be conspicuous.

In my opinion, one should not do so with too much force. Nevertheless, you read the Torah* and you are the one who delivers the words of encouragement. Everyone will therefore understand that you wear the tallis* over your head, including those who do not yet do so.

Moreover, some may follow your example.

B) You ask me why, among the children of a certain person, only the one with the least fear of Hashem* survived, while those who feared Hashem* were murdered al kiddush Hashem* (in sanctification of Hashem's* Name).

It is regarding such questions that it is said: "Why inquire into what is hidden before Hashem*?" An explanation is found in the sefarim* regarding similar cases. Such a soul may need to achieve teshuvah* for what it has done, or it may be charged with doing good to one person or another, by whose merit it is sustained in a body — something it could not achieve by its own merit.

Such a soul has not yet achieved teshuvah*. But as our Sages say, Hashem* delays His anger and does not punish it, in the hope that it will not turn away, will achieve teshuvah*, and will return to better ways.

The festival of Pesach* is approaching, for us and for all of Yisrael*, for good and for blessing. You will celebrate it, together with the members of your family, in a kosher* and joyous manner.

With my blessing,