By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
In 1977, Donna Halper was a radio announcer and host at WRVR Jazz radio station. She was an intuitive, curious and vivacious conversationalist, well-acquainted with many celebrities. She was deeply curious about her Jewish roots, and once wrote to the Rebbe with a multitude of questions.
In her letter, Donna specifically asked the Rebbe about the emphasis Judaism seems to place on women having children. Knowing that the Rebbe and his wife could not have children, as she could not, Donna asked if such is shunned in Jewish life.
Having corresponded with many famous people, she had learned not to expect a response and didn’t anticipate receiving an answer from the Rebbe.
To Donna’s surprise, the Rebbe responded to her questions in great detail, writing a three-page response that touched her deeply.
Regarding her infertility, the Rebbe wrote (contracted and adapted):
“Where a person, for some reason, is unable to observe a certain divine precept, there is a biblical ruling: ‘The Merciful One excuses a person who is incapable of performing his, or her, duty.’
“Indeed, G-d, who knows what is in the heart of everyone, and knowing that were the person able he or she would have observed it, considers the thought in place of the deed.
“Incidentally, it is noteworthy that of the various divine names, it is the name ‘Merciful One’ that is used in the above ruling. This pointedly emphasizes that all G-d’s precepts derive from His attribute of mercy and loving-kindness, which, like all divine attributes, is infinite.
“It follows that a person who is precluded from observing a precept by circumstances beyond his or her control is completely excused and exonerated.”
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