8354 —שידוך, גידול זקן, וקדושת מלאכת התפילין

B"H, 8th of Adar I, 5722. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 2nd of Adar, in which you write that you met several times with a young man and decided he is suitable for you, etc., and you ask my opinion on this. From the style of your letter it is clear that both of you have decided to establish your home on the foundations of Torah and mitzvah—a traditional Jewish home—both the young man and yourself. Based on this—the suggestion is appropriate; may it be at an auspicious and successful time.

With blessings for good news in the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita,
Sh. M. Simpson
Secretary

P.S. Your wonder in your letter is understood: that the young man is a yeshiva student but without a beard and works making tefillin. It is well known how greatly our Sages—especially in the holy Zohar—praised growing a beard, particularly when it concerns a yeshiva student engaged in making tefillin. This work is supremely holy; as our Sages say, all of Torah was compared to tefillin, and G‑d's holy Name appears twenty-one times in them. All those who wear tefillin over time depend on the fear of Heaven of the one who makes them and works in making tefillin. May it be G‑d's will that at least from now on—the above-mentioned Avrech will grow his beard; as explained in Zohar haKadosh, this will also increase G‑d's blessing in what is needed.

Summary

The Rebbe approves building a home founded on Torah values and highlights how growing a beard brings spiritual merit—especially for one involved in making tefillin, whose work impacts many others.