By the Grace of G‑d
5th of Shevat, 5713
[January 21, 1953]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sholom u’Brocho:

I am in receipt of your letter of 27th of Teveth. You need not apologize for writing in English, for although the language is of importance, especially our “holy tongue” which is holy indeed, nevertheless the essential thing, after all, is the content. Where the content is Chassidic, the outer form may be overlooked.

Moreover, since Jews went into exile, the purity of our holy tongue could not be completely preserved, and even in the time of the Talmud it was not widely used. The heads of Chabad, too, did not use Loshon-hakodesh when giving a Chassidic discourse, but rather Yiddish, since through this medium they could more easily reach the depths and inner response of the audience. Therefore, if you find it more convenient to write in any other but our holy tongue, you need not hesitate to do so, and may G‑d help you to be able to write of good tidings always, materially and spiritually.

I was pleased to read in your letter that you are well conscious of your origin and ancestral affiliation with אילנא דחיי (“the Tree of Life”) of the heads of Chabad, and most of all that you also feel this deep affinity with אילנא דחיי (“the Tree of Life”). As I see from your letter, you appreciate the Chassidic emphasis on the practical deed (עשיה לעילא). In the same way as physically one should not only have a healthy heart but a completely healthy body in all its limbs and organs, so spiritually it is not enough to have a good heart, but it must find expression in practical deeds.

Your observation that unfortunately little publicity is given to the accomplishments of Lubavitch is, of course, not a revelation to me. We try, from time to time, to bring this work to the public attention where it serves the interest of the cause. But what can we do when the work is so ramified and gigantic in scope, and we are both understaffed and short of funds, and must concentrate all our forces on the work itself, though we are fully aware of the handicap involved in the lack of publicity. Withal, we try to meet this need also to the best of our ability. The enclosed booklet on the social work of Lubavitch has been published in English in consideration of the above need.

As for your personal inquiry regarding the health of your wife, no doubt she has consulted the outstanding specialists in this field. Perhaps consideration has also been given to the advisability of a change of climate? I would like to know what the physicians think of this. With prayerful wishes to you and your wife for good health, and hoping to hear good news from you,

Cordially,
M. Schneerson