Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3187 — Health

B"H

13 Teves* 5715,
Brooklyn.

To Mrs. Rachel (Mrs. R. Cunin; see, on this subject, letters no. 1876 and 2340),

Blessing and greeting,

I received with pleasure your letter of the 10th of Teves* (the day of the fast), which will be transformed into joy and gladness, in which you announce good news to me — the fact that a partition (between men and women) is being built in your synagogue. The sanctification of the Name of Hashem that results from this and the importance of such an accomplishment are difficult to imagine.

Hashem acts "measure for measure" (in the way a person acts toward Him) and He will reward you, as well as your husband and your children, from His full and open hand, in everything that concerns you. And when one reflects on the darkness of exile, on the fact that a struggle is necessary even for what should have been obvious to all, one understands that a victory in this matter is a sanctification of the Name of Hashem. One of the points on which this battle bears is that of partitions in the synagogues.

When one visits a man of flesh and blood, wishing to obtain from him that he grant the request presented to him, one addresses him by adopting the conduct that he himself advocates and one certainly does not act against him — even if one is not certain that he has the means to fulfill this request, even if, upon receiving a refusal from him, one can always turn to someone of higher rank. Now, how much more should it have been clear and obvious to everyone that this is so when one goes to a place where one formulates a prayer before Hashem, in order to have good health or to obtain material abundance. In such a case, it goes without saying that Hashem alone can grant this request. Everyone knows that none is greater and more important than Him.

Despite this, some are blinded by the assertions of the evil inclination. Those people put their money and their energy at the disposal of certain leaders so that these leaders arrange for the prayer to become a defiance of the Holy One, blessed be He, to Whom one is addressing oneself.

Hashem desires such a partition — and how can one prevent it? Hashem asks that Shabbos* and the festivals be observed. Yet, regrettably, a microphone is introduced (in the synagogue) and one thus formulates one's prayer while violating Shabbos* and the festivals.

Hashem asks that the blood of the prayer leader, acting on behalf of the entire community to formulate its request before Him, be nourished by kosher* food, that his brain not be clouded by improper thoughts, that he not have violated Shabbos* a few hours before leading the prayer.

Despite the obviousness of such ideas, thousands of dollars are spent to find a person whose appearance most closely resembles that of a non-Jew, who could have sung at the opera in the company of non-Jewish women, or perhaps even actually did so. And this is precisely the one who must represent the entire community, formulate a request on its behalf, say "illuminate our eyes with Your Torah*," "attach our hearts to Your Mitzvos*," ask "bring us back to You" and "heal us."

All of this is profoundly illogical and offends the understanding. If someone acted this way in his work, he would be transferred to a psychiatric institution. But when it comes to the Jewish religion in general and the conduct of certain synagogues in particular, one can, in recent years, become one of their leaders by acting in this way.

Consequently, those who have the merit of introducing into a synagogue a correct vision and an accurate understanding, in accordance with what has been defined above, possess a merit that belongs to the entire community. They must therefore invest all their efforts in this matter. Obviously, they will do so in a peaceful manner and, when one acts with sincerity and enthusiasm, one obtains success from Hashem.

Obviously, you may, if you find it useful, communicate the content of this letter to those who help you put this Mitzvah* into practice. May the public merit protect each of you and enable you to obtain the satisfaction of your needs.

With my blessing,