By the Grace of G‑d
12 Teves, 5739 [January 11, 1979]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

c/o Telshe Yeshiva
Wickliffe, Ohio

Sholom u'Brocho:

Your letter of Rosh Chodesh Teves reached me with some delay. In it you write that you stopped shaving, with the intention to grow a beard,

I trust you have seen the Sefer "Hadras Ponim Zokon," whose author is a Talmid of the Mirer Yeshiva, which was published recently, with Haskomos by prominent Rabbonim, on the great significance and the must and importance of growing a full beard. The Sefer includes also Teshuvos ברורות by Gdolei Yisroel who had been asked for an opinion in this matter.

May Hashem Yisborach grant you Hatzlocho that in addition to preserving the sanctity of Hadras Ponim you should go from strength to strength in Torah learning and the observance of its Mitzvos with Hiddur, which is also one of the teachings of Ner Chanukah, kindled in growing numbers and brightness from day to day, reflecting Ner mitzva v'Torah Or, and may you be a source of true Nachas-ruach to your Roshei-Yeshiva and Mashpiim.

With blessings,

P.S. Since you have written to me on this matter, it is my duty and Zchus to refer you "also" to the Tshuvo of the "Tzemach Tzedek" (Yore-Deah, par. 93), as well as to his Sefer "Yahel-Or" on Tehillim (in the Miluim, on the verse “Vehu Rachum," p. 626).