ב"ה, כ"ג אייר, תשט"ו
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
... וואס טוט זיך בא ...? מען דארף אים זאגן, אז, בתוך כלל ישראל, דארפן זיך גרייטן צו קבלת התורה בשמחה ובפנימיות, במילא דארף זיין דער וכבסו שמלותם והקדמת נעשה לנשמע. און קענען קען ער - ער דארף נאר וועלען, וקרוב ה' לכל קוראיו לכל אשר יקראוהו באמת.
B"H, 23 Iyar, 5715.
Brooklyn.
Shalom u'Vrachah!
... How are things with ...? One must tell him that, as part of the Jewish people, we must prepare ourselves to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness. Therefore, there must be "u'kibesu simlotam" (and they shall wash their garments) and the precedence of Na'aseh (we will do) before Nishma (we will hear). And he is able—he only needs to want it, for "Karov Hashem lechol kor'av lechol asher yikrauhu be'emet" (the L‑rd is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth).
Summary
This letter teaches that true preparation for receiving the Torah requires prioritizing action (Na'aseh) before understanding (Nishma), approaching it with joy and sincerity. Anyone who genuinely desires closeness to G‑d can attain it through honest effort.