6252 —אימוץ ילד, יוחסין יהודיים, ומנהגים רוחניים

In response to your letter from May 6th in which you write about adopting a child from a non-Jewish schoolgirl and relying on the conversion of a minor by the authority of a Beit Din: Heaven forbid to consider such a thing. If you and your wife have decided to adopt a child, it must specifically be from Jewish parents—a man and woman—and the child must be born in accordance with halachic standards. With proper effort, this can be found, especially if you search among our Sephardic brethren in North Africa, where all are upright Jews, there are large families without the evil eye, and their financial situation is very strained.

You do not write about the state of Torah and mitzvot observance in your home. However, according to the instruction of our holy Torah that one should always add in goodness, no matter how good the situation is there is always room to add more. Hashem can certainly be trusted to grant even more blessing and success in whatever is needed within the Jewish community.

You surely know about the practice of reciting the daily portion of Tehillim as it is divided for each day of the month—everyone after prayer in the morning. Your wife also knows about the good custom among kosher Jewish women to give charity every time before lighting candles on Friday night and before Yom Tov. In any case, you should do so from now on and continue henceforth.

With blessings for good news.

In the name of the Rebbe Shlita—Secretary

Summary

When considering adoption, one must ensure Jewish lineage according to halacha. Consistent spiritual practices—such as daily Tehillim and giving charity before candle lighting—bring additional blessing and success into one's home.