It is very the famous “Letter of the Ramban” by Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Nachmanides, Spain, 1194-1270) to his son. This letter is one of the most important documents in Jewish literature and history as a “recipe” for living an ethical, happy and successful life. In particular, it focuses on refraining from anger and developing the character trait of humility. Ramban directs his son to read it weekly with promises that on any day that he reads it he will be answered with success from Above.
I am certain it is a great merit for your mother and a display of her greatness to have had this document in her possession. I personally am inspired and uplifted whenever I read this letter. Here is a translation of this letter – I hope you enjoy it and benefit from it:
Iggeret HaRamban - The Ramban's Letter
Hear, my son, the instruction of your father and don't forsake the teaching of your mother (Mishlei 1:8). Get into the habit of always speaking calmly to everyone. This will prevent you from anger, a serious character flaw which causes people to sin. As our Rabbis said (Nedarim 22a): Whoever flares up in anger is subject to the discipline of Gehinnom as it is says (Kohelet 12:10), "Cast out anger from your heart, and by doing this remove evil from your flesh." "Evil" here means Gehinnom, as we read (Mishlei 16:4): "...and the wicked are destined for the day of evil." Once you have distanced yourself from anger, the quality of humility will enter your heart. This radiant quality is the finest of all admirable traits (see Avodah Zarah 20b), because (Mishlei 22:4), "Following humility comes the fear of God."
Through humility you will also come to fear God. It will cause you to always think about (see Avot 3:1) where you came from and where you are going, and that while alive you are only like a maggot and a worm, and the same after death. It will also remind you before Whom you will be judged, the King of Glory, as it is stated (I Melachim 8:27; Mishlei 15:11), "Even the heaven and the heavens of heaven can't contain You" – "How much less the hearts of people!" It is also written (Yirmeyahu 23:24), "Do I not fill heaven and earth? says God."
When you think about all these things, you will come to fear God who created you, and you will protect yourself from sinning and therefore be happy with whatever happens to you. Also, when you act humbly and modestly before everyone, and are afraid of God and of sin, the radiance of His glory and the spirit of the Shechina will rest upon you, and you will live the life of the World-to-Come!
And now, my son, understand and observe that whoever feels that he is greater than others is rebelling against the Kingship of God, because he is adorning himself with His garments, as it is written (Tehillim 93:1), " God reigns, He wears clothes of pride." Why should one feel proud? Is it because of wealth? God makes one poor or rich (I Shmuel 2:7). Is it because of honor? It belongs to God, as we read (I Divrei Hayamim 29:12), "Wealth and honor come from You." So how could one adorn himself with God’s honor? And one who is proud of his wisdom surely knows that God "takes away the speech of assured men and reasoning from the sages" (Iyov 2:20)!? So we see that everyone is the same before God, since with His anger He lowers the proud and when He wishes He raises the low. So lower yourself and God will lift you up!
Therefore, I will now explain to you how to always behave humbly. Speak gently at all times, with your head bowed, your eyes looking down to the ground and your heart focusing on God. Don't look boldly at the face of the person to whom you are speaking. Consider everyone as greater than yourself. If he is wise or rich, you should give him respect. If he
