Dear Lia:

I received your letter and was very encouraged by what I read. I was especially heartened to hear you refer to your upcoming Bat Mitzvah as an important rite marking your passage into adulthood - not merely an occasion to receive lots of presents (although I hope you receive some good ones). The Bat Mitzvah is indeed a celebration, but more importantly, it should be a time of learning and growth.

In your letter, you asked for advice. So I thought I would share one of my favorite passages from the Book of Proverbs (Mishlei), which teaches a lesson that you seem to have grasped at a young age: there can be no substitute for wisdom.

Doth not wisdom call, and understanding put forth her voice? In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth; Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:

Unto you, 0 men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. 0 ye thoughtless, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing perverse or crooked in them.

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things desirable are not to be compared unto her.

Good luck, Lia. May you speak excellent things, right things, during your Bat Mitzvah and continue to make your grandparents and family proud.

Sincerely,

Joe Lieberman

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