6698 —נסיעה יקרה לחתונת הבן – מוטב שהכסף ישמש את החתן והכלה בהתבססותם

[24 Shevat 5719]

In reply to your letter of Thursday, in which you write about the idea of traveling to the wedding of your son, may he live^[1], may it be in a good and auspicious hour:

Seemingly it is not understandable: to make such a trip, which involves such expenses of money (and, in addition, the time as well) — when, even if one has the money in cash, given the situation of the groom and bride, the money could be used for their setting themselves up, for which surely even larger sums could be of use to them.

May G‑d, blessed be He, help you decide what is truly good. And for long days and good years, may you have true Jewish nachas and Chassidic nachas from all your children, may they live.

Publisher's notes

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 24, p. 464.

To make such a trip (מאכען אזא נסיעה): See also below, letter 6712.

Notes

1. The wedding of your son (דער חתונה פון אייער זון שי'): The recipient's name was not printed. The Rebbe wrote similarly below, letter 6712 (5 Adar I 5719), in a letter about a wedding: מהנ"ל מובנת ג"כ השקפתי בהנוגע לנסיעה של מי שהוא מההורים שי' לכאן, נסיעה קשורה בהוצאות גדולות, והרי אפשר שהזוג הצעיר יוכלו להשתמש בממון שיוציאו על זה, בענין הטוב עוד יותר, "From the above my view is also understood regarding the trip here of one of the parents: a trip involving great expense, while the young couple could use the money that would be spent on it for something even better"; and he added there that his words are "only in the nature of a suggestion, for both sides to consider and decide."

Summary

The recipient considered traveling to a son's wedding. The Rebbe questions the costly trip: given the young couple's situation, the money would serve them better in setting up their home. He leaves the decision to the recipient, with a blessing to decide what is truly good and to have true Jewish and Chassidic nachas from all the children.