3932 —מצב הרוחני של הקהילה ודחיפות בניית המקוה

B"H, 7 Kislev, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

How startled I was when Rabbi Dehelmits shiyichyeh (currently residing in Cleveland) visited me these past days. In response to my question, he told me he had not heard anything about a Mikvah in our camp, and therefore he fears that nothing has yet been done. Now I have received your letter from before Rosh Chodesh Kislev and I see that this concern is justified.

As for what you write about the spiritual state being lowly, etc., on the contrary—this is an additional reason and further increases your responsibility to correct matters, since others do not know the gravity and importance of the issue. The same applies to other shortcomings you mention regarding communal matters; it seems your conclusion from them is that there is no need to work in this area, whereas any upright reasoning should reach precisely the opposite conclusion: since Divine Providence has brought you to this place as Rav and Mara d'Asra and you have accepted this appointment upon yourself, the responsibility lies with you.

On the other hand, since our Sages have informed us that "the Holy One blessed be He only demands according to their strength," it is certain that you have already been given all necessary powers to fulfill your role. It is well known—even regarding a matter of deposit where no payment is received—that if one intends to follow the stricter opinion, and certainly if any action was taken by the trustee, all responsibility rests upon him (see Bava Metzia 43b).

If I recall correctly, you wrote that the expenses involved in the Mikvah matter are about five hundred dollars. With G‑d's help I am prepared to obtain a loan for this amount on condition it will be repaid over twenty months; perhaps in this way it will be easier for you to arouse the Jewish spark within every Jew's heart in order to bring about actual purity for Bnei Yisrael—which itself is also preparation for fulfilling the prophecy "VeZarakti Aleichem Mayim Tehorim" ("And I will sprinkle pure water upon you"). May it be G‑d's will that this happens promptly and completely.

Enclosed is something recently published which will surely merit inclusion among many others as well; the merit of many depends on him.

Blessings.

Summary

This letter teaches that spiritual challenges in a community should inspire greater responsibility and action from its leaders. Building essential institutions like a Mikvah is both urgent and achievable with determination and support from Above.