The following letter was addressed to R. Yechezkel Yehudah Unsdorfer.

B”H, 21 MarCheshvan, 5711,
Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I received your letter from Monday, the day associated with the reading: “This is the sign of the covenant,”1 [but] because of the preoccupations of the month of Tishrei, an inclusive month, my reply was delayed until now.

I was happy to hear that you began getting involved in the field of taharas hamishpachah, which, due to our great sins, has become neglected and abandoned. It is very aggravating that there are misplaced feelings of embarrassment; that many who are G‑d-fearing and perfect [in observance] are ashamed to speak of this matter.

How true are the words of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, [who,] in his talks, [referred to] the yetzer hara as “the clever one,” because it enclothes itself in garments that are appropriate for each [individual] person to [lure him into] going against what he knows [is right]. As he related2 in the name of his father, the Rebbe [Rashab], נ"ע: “The yetzer hara is called the ‘animal soul,’3 not because it is bestial. On the contrary, at times it is like a fox, the cleverest of animals, so that one needs great wisdom to recognize its schemes. At times, it even clothes itself in the garb of a perfect tzaddik who is humble and of noble character. Every individual’s animal soul matches his personal nature....”

This can obviously be seen in the matter at hand. For the quality of bashfulness is one of the three positive qualities inherently possessed by the Jewish people [who are described as]:4 “merciful, bashful, and [eager to perform] deeds of kindness.” The yetzer hara uses this positive quality to prevent them from speaking about a necessary issue that will lead to the well-being of a man, his wife, and their descendants until the end of time.

I forwarded your request for pamphlets regarding taharas hamishpachah in English to the [appropriate] office so that they will send a separate package through the ordinary mail.

With blessing and with the hope of hearing good news regarding the above matters,

Menachem Schneerson