By the Grace of G‑d
17th of Iyar, 5719 [May 25, 1959]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I received your letter of Friday, the 7th of Iyar, in which you ask my advice how to deal with Mr.----

Generally speaking, it would be advisable to discuss the matter with the doctor, and perhaps it is possible to find a doctor that had occasion to examine him. I also wrote a letter to ----, which he may have shown to you. It would be well to find an opportunity, of course without him knowing that I suggested it to you, to emphasize to him again that the normal way for a person to make progress is to advance step by step, rather than expect of himself radical changes all at once. Even if the progress seems slow, this is the way of progress in his circumstance. Besides, there are different times during the year which are appropriate for different purposes: there are times for joy, and times for serious reflection, and remorse, and teshuvah [repentance]. Therefore he should, at this time, postpone any effort at repentance, which does not mean that he has to completely abandon the idea, but only to postpone it until the appropriate time for teshuvah. But in the meantime he should try to make progress in the learning and observance of the Torah, step by step, with complete peace of mind.

Another important point for him to remember is never to entertain any thought of despair that any sin could not be corrected or forgiven. For G‑d is the Essence of goodness and of mercy and never rejects teshuvah, which is carried out at the proper time and in the proper way. He should therefore have absolute faith in G‑d, and the stronger his faith will be, the sooner he will find peace of mind.

Above all, as already mentioned, all thought and discussions about repentance, etc. should be postponed for the proper time, and it is best to avoid such topics and discussions altogether, and whenever anything like that comes up, it should be discussed in a way that would not excite or upset his nerves. May G‑d bless you with success.