Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6610 — Chinuch
Volume 18 · Letter 107 · To: distingué ‘Hassid qui craint D.ieu et se consacre aux
By the grace of Hashem*,
21 Kislev* 5719,
Brooklyn,
To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem* and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Avraham Dober (note 1: Rav A. D. Kremer, of Brooklyn. See, on his subject, Letters no. 270, 895, and 1543),
Greetings and blessings,
I would like to thank you for having sent me the Sefer HaToldos Rav M. E. Kremer, which is a biography of your father, written in Yiddish and in English. Without a doubt, all the members of your family possess this book, particularly the youngest. As various texts explain and as logic establishes, works relating to one's own ancestry or, more generally, memories of days gone by do not have the sole purpose of recounting a beautiful "story" (note 2: In English in the original text) about an upright man. They also serve to arouse and awaken in the reader — especially if he belongs to the family — a strong desire to follow the path traced by the one whose biography was written, to adopt the same conduct, and thereby to cause pleasure to his soul. Now, if this is expected of everyone, how much more so when it concerns members of the family.
By observing that your children and those of your brother, who were so dear to the one whose biography was written — your father — have taken part in all of this, one will note that there is here an "iron bridge" (note 3: A sure path), upon which your children and those of your brother can embark. According to the established formula, "the act is essential," and the grandchildren of the one whose biography was written will therefore follow his path. They will lend their support to all the achievements and all the institutions that he valued so much. More generally, they will set a good example and they will be a reflection of the one whose memoirs were written. For, as our Sages* say, when one truly desires a certain accomplishment, one can obtain it. I send you my blessing for a joyous Chanukah*, to you, to your brothers, and to your entire family. I have just received your letter.