We are very excited, dear daughter, that you are a
kalla. Our hearts are full of joy and gratitude to
Hashem. We are very pleased that we haven't yet bought you a
sheitel. You mentioned that you would probably need
$1000 for one. I silently scream to myself.
I am thinking of the magnificent Kiddush Hashem we have just
witnessed. When HaRav Eliashiv handed down his ruling -- off
went the wigs. Teachers came to school with tichels.
Your younger sisters came home from school that day
reporting, "It was hysterical; just like a beit
hachlama (Mother and Child Convalescent Home) today!"
"`You have three minutes to laugh!' said one teacher, `before
I start the lesson.'" And so it went.
Hysterical? Beit Hachlama? Embarrassed? Something must be
wrong here. Can't a head covering look like a head covering?
Does it have to look like a thousand dollar wig?
I thought a Jewish woman's head covering is her beauty, her
praise, the crown of her glory.
I hope that by now, young girls everywhere have learned this
important idea. We are grateful to Hashem that His great
kindness has awakened us and given us this opportunity to
take this idol worship `off our heads' and out of our
lives.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to take the avoda zora
out of our hearts as well. In other words, do we worship the
$1000 custom wig or the woman who wears it?
Soon we will have to make our decision, kalla of mine.
But I know that it will be based on the decision of our
rabbis, rebbetzins and teachers everywhere. Their personal
example, and yours, will be setting the tone and pace for all
women everywhere. Klal Yisroel is waiting and watching. Will
it be a synthetic model or a $1000 kosher custom?
I wish you, and us, success in this and all future
decisions.
Mama
This letter was supplied by the Home and Family
Editor.
