Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6252 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem*,

17 Iyar* 5718,

Brooklyn,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

I am responding to your letter of May 6, in which you tell me that you are thinking of adopting a child from a non-Jewish girls' school, basing yourself on the fact that a child can be converted by the rabbinical court. May Hashem* protect you from imagining such a thing! If you and your wife have made the decision to adopt, you will seek a child of Jewish parents, whose birth was in conformity with what it should be. With the appropriate effort, you will succeed in finding one, even if you must, for this purpose, go to North Africa, among our brethren, the Sephardic* Jews. There, all are good Jews and, thank Hashem*, the families are large, while it is very difficult to earn one's living.

You do not specify to me what the situation of your home is regarding the Torah* and the mitzvos*. But, in accordance with the teaching of our holy Torah*, one must constantly strengthen the domain of good. Consequently, as positive as this situation may be, it is always possible to improve it. And, one can rely on Hashem*, Who will broaden the blessing and success in all your needs, within all of Israel.

You surely know of the custom of reading Tehillim* according to their monthly division, every morning after the prayer. Your wife must surely know the positive custom of virtuous Jewish women, which consists of systematically giving tzedakah* before lighting the candles, on the eve of Shabbos* and the festivals. If applicable, you will adopt these practices in the future. With my blessing to convey good news,

On behalf of the Rebbe, shlita*,

the secretary,