Acts of Kindness
This week, the Chanukah lights shine with the flame of holy wisdom, which no secular ruler or philosopher can ever extinguish. Nevertheless, Judaism is practical, and the spiritual must guide and affect the physical. The Avner Institute presents two unusual letters with essentially the same advice—one to a “visionary” on goals in the real world; the other to a German attorney on ways to help a Jewish friend through drug treatment—and the same emphasis on moral responsibility, which is incumbent on everyone, of all creeds and backgrounds.
In honor of David & Eda Schottenstein wishing them much success and Nachas
“Two thoughts at the same time”
By the Grace of G-d
12 Teves 5744
Brooklyn, NY
Blessing and Greeting:
I received your letter postmarked Dec. 13th, with the enclosure, in which you write about your having experienced visions, etc., and ask my opinion.
In general, you surely know that our Torah is called Toras Chaim, meaning that it teaches Jews how to live; and it is also called Torah Or, because its instructions are as clear as light. At the same time, one of its basic principles is that the essential thing is the deed.
In light of the above, when a person, especially a Jew, has a vision, the first thing is to attempt to learn what it indicates in terms of the practical everyday life in accordance with the Torah. A further important point is that whatever visions a person has had, especially those that he or she had taken note of them, should be utilized in the direction of good deeds.
But the most important thing of all is not to pay much attention to visions and the like in the first place, and to dismiss them altogether from one’s mind. And the best way to achieve this is not to dwell on them, but, as mentioned, to ignore them altogether. And if this is difficult, the thing to do, whenever the thought of the vision one has seen enters the mind is to divert attention to something else entirely unrelated, since the mind cannot cope with two thoughts at the same time.
Specifically in your case, and the visions which you describe, and how to translate them in a practical way, in view of the fact that the visions were connected with a person who is already in the World of Truth, find out whether the observances of Yahrzeit, with Kaddish, etc., are being kept up. If the vision is connected with a house, it may be an indication to do something in support of a House of Prayer or a House of Torah Learning, or Torah education. From these suggestions, one can infer also similar indications.
However, I must emphasize again, that according to our Torah, the best thing is to pay as little attention as possible to visions and dreams and the like, and to relieve the mind still more—to put in a small coin for tzedakah in a tzedakah box (on a weekday, of course).
I suggest that you should have the mezuzoth on all the doors of your home checked, to make sure that they are kosher and properly affixed. Also, that you should take extra care in the observance of kashrus in regard to all foods and beverages—within the general everyday conduct in accordance with the Jewish way of the Torah and mitzvoth.
With blessing,
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“The basis of every human society”
By the Grace of G-d
12 Teves 5744
Dec. 18, 1983
Brooklyn, NY
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Dec. 5th. Since we have no facilities at our office to write in German, our reply comes in English.
In your letter you write about a young acquaintance, D.A., a Jew from Darmstadt, who is at present undergoing withdrawal treatment in Frankfurt. You ask how you can be of help to him after his completing the treatment.
Needless to say, first of all, you ought to communicate with the Jewish community in that city, since this would be within the sphere of its functions and activities.
As for the question what you, personally, could do for him, being a non-Jew, etc., I trust you know that every human being is orally obligated to order his everyday life and conduct in accordance with the Will of the Creator. For Jews, this means adherence to the teachings of the Torah with all its precepts. For gentiles it means adherence to the so-called Seven Noahide Moral Precepts, with all their ramifications, which were ordained by the Creator, and which must be the basis of every human society, if it is to be human.
To be kind and helpful to others is, thus, one of the most basic rules of all mankind. As for financial assistance, such help is necessarily limited by one’s financial means; but spiritually there is no limitation. Hence, you could be very helpful to the young man by strengthening his trust in G-d, Whose benevolent Providence extends to each and everyone individually. And since G-d is the Essence of Goodness, and “it is in the nature of the Good to do good,” it follows that G-d is always willing and able to do good to each and every person. However, it is up to the individual to provide the “channels and vessels” to receive G-d’s blessings. These “vessels” are, as mentioned, ordering one’s everyday life and conduct to be in fullest accord with the will of G-d.
In tangible terms, what the young man probably needs most at this time is a suitable job, to keep him busy as well as self-supporting. Here, perhaps, you may be helpful to him through your connections as a Rechtsanwalt [attorney] and prominent citizen.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere gratification as seeing your very kind interest to help a fellow human being, to the extent of taking the trouble to write in his behalf to someone overseas. May there be many like you.
With all good wishes, and
With esteem and blessing,
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