The Personal Merit of Promoting Taharas HaMishpacha

Holy Letters of the Rebbe – Volume 15, Letter 5419
Baruch Hashem, the second day of Iyar, 5717, Brooklyn. Shalom u’Vracha.

The Rebbe writes in response to his letter dated the 27th of Nissan, together with the enclosed check. The Rebbe acknowledges receipt of the contribution and notes that a receipt is enclosed.

The Rebbe further writes that at an auspicious time he will mention all those for whom the writer requested blessings at the holy tziyun of his father-in-law, the Rebbe, with all the titles, asking for each person according to his or her particular needs.

The main point of the letter concerns an earlier instruction the Rebbe had given regarding the writer’s difficulties in his relationship with his children. The Rebbe had advised him to become involved in encouraging the observance of Taharas Hamishpachah—the laws of Family Purity.

The writer apparently responded that he could not find anyone willing to listen or to strengthen themselves in this matter. To this, the Rebbe replies sharply that one must never say such a thing about Jews. Heaven forbid to assume that no one is receptive.

The Rebbe explains that the writer had misunderstood the earlier guidance. He assumed that helping others observe this mitzvah would benefit only those individuals whom he was influencing.

The Rebbe clarifies that this was not the full intention. In this case, the effort itself was meant to bring blessing and repair to the writer’s own personal situation—specifically, to improve the relationship between him and his children. By engaging in the spiritual strengthening of others, he would also draw down healing and harmony into his own family life.

Therefore, the Rebbe emphasizes that he should approach this work not merely as helping someone else, but as something deeply relevant and beneficial to himself as well.

The Rebbe concludes that he hopes no further explanation is necessary, and blesses him with good news, peace of mind, and inner tranquility (menuchas hanefesh).

The message of the letter is powerful: when a Jew helps another in matters of Torah and mitzvos, the blessings of that effort often return to uplift and heal the giver as well.