What follows is the first letter I received from my father after my brother, Michael, died.

April 3, 1974

Dear Shelly,

When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it. Follow the great man and you shall see what the world has at heart in these ages. Pompidou, the president of France is dead. He was no great friend of Israel. There seems to be trouble in effecting a disengagement of military forces between Israel and Syria. The war has been going on for many weeks.

Be sure to quit smoking cigarettes. They are the cause of most evils in the world as far as health is concerned.

The one condition coupled with the gift of truth is its use. That man shall be learned who reduces his learning to practice.