4200 —לא לדאוג לגבי דתיות בעבר בהצעות נישואין

B"H, 6th of Nissan, 5716. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Tuesday, in which you write that an honorable proposal was made for PFP and the matter is already close to being finalized, but meanwhile someone came and cast doubt regarding the conduct of the girl in question in the past, even though regarding the present she explicitly said that she wants to marry specifically someone who observes Torah and mitzvos and to behave according to the law of Moshe and Israel, etc.

Since the present is good, and regarding the past there remains doubt—and it is understood that according to Shulchan Aruch this testimony requires great scrutiny as to whether it is reliable, especially since teshuvah is effective—therefore in my opinion they have nothing to worry about. May Hashem grant success in their efforts so it will be for good and at an auspicious time.

It is quite surprising that all this time there has been no information from you regarding your activities in your surroundings for strengthening Judaism in general and spreading the wellsprings in particular. After all, concerning each one of us it is said: "U'teshuah b'rov yoetz" (And salvation comes with much counsel) (Mishlei 11:14), and it is known the story from our Sages that Rav Ashi would gather all the butchers of Mata Mechasya when a case of treifah came before him so that any possible flaw would be discovered (Sanhedrin 7b).

I wish to strengthen you with the principle that a shaliach fulfills his mission—that every single Jew is a messenger of the Supreme Being to make for Him a dwelling place below through ner mitzvah (the candle of mitzvah), Torah or (the light of Torah), and the luminary within Torah, which is its inner dimension. Therefore, one must also influence others because only through tzedakah does one draw down success in one's own service from Above, as understood from our Sages' statement: "Reb Elazar would give a coin to a poor person and then pray" (also regarding the twelve middle blessings beginning with requests for Chabad, etc.).

Nevertheless, halachah states that when clarification is needed it must be done even if there is an established presumption—as brought at the beginning of Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah.

As we approach Pesach which comes upon us and all Israel for good—may he and his family celebrate it with kashrus and joy. He should strive that all four sons gather together to recount (to illuminate) the Exodus from Egypt (Egypt meaning boundaries), for the Torah speaks concerning them all.

Blessings.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches not to be concerned about negative reports regarding someone's past when their current conduct aligns with Torah values. Teshuvah transforms a person's status; focus on present growth and positive action brings blessing.