Weekly Letter: No Need to Feel Embarrassed about Reminding an Older Person of his Birthday
In preparation for the Rebbe’s birthday on the Yud Alef Nissan, we share a letter in which the Rebbe acknowledges and thanks the correspondent “for your good wishes on my birthday” and reassures him there is no need to feel embarrassed about reminding an older person of his birthday.
By the Grace of G-d
3rd of Nissan, 5731
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr.
Brookline, Mass. 02146
Greeting and Blessing:
I am in receipt of your letter.
I trust that all is well with you and your family and that the indisposition which you mention are well past and all are enjoying good health.
Now that we are in the auspicious month of Nissan, the month of Geula, highlighted by the festival of Pesach, the Season of Our Liberation, including also liberation from all distractions and anxiety and G-d will do His part in helping you and all yours in the fullest measure of true freedom, materially and spiritually and that you and your wife should together bring up your children to a life of Torah, Chuppah and Good Deeds, in good health and happy circumstances.
Wishing you all a kosher and happy Pesach
With blessing,
P.S. Thank you very much for your good wishes on my birthday. There is no need to feel embarrassed about reminding an older person his birthday, especially in light of the American custom which came to my attention in recent years, to the effect that people speak in terms of so many years young, rather that so many years old. Indeed, in a very real sense, a person becomes younger and more vigorous with age, in light of the saying of our Sages that “all beginnings are difficult.” Therefore, as a person gains in experiences and knowledge from year to year, the task which he has to accomplish becomes easier to cope with and fulfill. I trust that you too will see in the same light your task and progress in the matter of spreading the Torah and fountains of Chasidus and find the going easier and hence have a surplus of energy for doing even more.
