The fifteenth volume in the letter series of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the father-in-law of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, is a rich collection of moving and exceptional letters that he wrote in his capacity as the sixth Rebbe in the Chabad dynasty to his daughter and son-in-law—who, years later, would become the Rebbe and Rebbetzin of Lubavitch.
Personally, I have learned a great deal from these letters about the relationship between a father and his children. Highly recommended.
In a letter dated Tuesday, the 5th of Elul 5689 (1929), about eight months after their wedding, the Rebbe's father-in-law wrote to his son-in-law:
"Contemplate well the precious pearl that God has granted you—for long life and good years, and all good things, both materially and spiritually. And may the Blessed One grant you wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to comprehend the matter in its fullest truth."
A pearl is a precious gem. Apparently, the young groom—later to become the Rebbe—did not fully grasp what his father-in-law meant by this reference to the “precious pearl.”
Five months passed, and once again, the father-in-law wrote to his son-in-law, and again, at the end of his letter, he added:
"And regarding the good gift, the precious pearl—do you still not know my intention, or have you already deciphered my riddle?"
A month later, in the month of Shevat 5690 (1930), the son-in-law replied:
"As for the quality and nature of the good pearl—I have not yet understood its true meaning."
Another month passed, and on the 25th of Adar 5690—the birthday of his daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka—the father-in-law finally solved the riddle for his son-in-law:
"The precious pearl that God has granted you is my daughter, your esteemed wife, may she live. (That was my intention in the letter—you simply did not read my words carefully enough.)"
So often, we fail to recognize the people around us as the precious pearls that they truly are.
In this week's Torah portion, Tazria–Metzora, we read:
"When you come to the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I will place a mark of leprosy in a house of your possession…"
Note the phrasing: "I will place"—as if it were a gift.
A leprous mark in the house—a gift?
Rashi adds a striking comment: “This is a good tiding for them—the marks will come upon them. For the Amorites hid treasures of gold in the walls of their homes during the forty years when the Israelites were in the wilderness, and by means of the plague, the house will be broken and the treasures will be found.”
When the Children of Israel first entered the Land, the treasures were material. Today, I believe, they are not only physical. In my humble opinion, there is an eternal and deeply relevant message here—especially for our times.
You may see a blemish, a plague, but I tell you—there is a message here, a treasure. Seek it. You might need to break something down in the process, but know this: there are hidden treasures waiting for you. Don’t miss them.
I often ask myself: if the Rebbe were to ask me about the pearl in my home—would I understand that he’s referring to someone in my own household?
Even more so—now that I have read this letter—do I recognize that there are precious stones and pearls in my home?
And in those moments of challenge and struggle, when a family member pushes my buttons—and we all know that no one can challenge us more than those closest to us—will I remember in that very moment that this “challenger” is not a blemish but a treasure of gold?
That this is not leprosy but rather a precious pearl?
There are definitely treasures here. There are pearls in our homes.
I haven’t found them all yet—I’m still searching. And I hope I never stop searching.
I just pray I won’t break too much in the process.
Wishing you success.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zalman Wishedski