Igrot Kodesh · Letter 2626 — Chinuch
Volume 9 · Letter 4 · To: début de la quatrième année. Cette célébration est
B"H
2 Iyar 5714,
Brooklyn.
Greetings and blessing,
I was pleased to read in your letter that on the date of Rosh Chodesh* Iyar, your son Yosef Yitzchak will begin to attend cheder* (at the beginning of his fourth year; this celebration is, ordinarily, accompanied by the upsherenish*, which is not the case here, because of the period of the Omer*).
You know the assertion of the Midrash Tanchuma, commenting on the verse (Vayikra 19:24, regarding the fruits of a tree; see letter no. 858): "And the fourth year, they shall be holy, consecrated to praise Hashem." You will also consult the beginning of the laws of Torah study of the Alter Rebbe* ("A child is exempt from putting mitzvos* into practice, and his father is not obligated to initiate him to this practice according to the Torah; only Chazal* oblige him to do so. Nevertheless, it is an injunction of the Torah for the father to teach Torah to his son, even if the latter is not bound to this practice, as it is said: 'You shall teach them to your sons that they may speak of them.'").
May Hashem grant that he attain at five years to the study of the Written Law, then at ten years to the study of Mishnah*, as Maseches Avos stipulates. You and your wife will derive much chassidishe* satisfaction from all your children.
With my blessing,
ב'תרכו
ב"ה, ב' אייר, תשי"ד
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
נהניתי לקרות בסיום מכתבם אשר בר"ח אייר מתחיל בנו יוסף יצחק שי' ללמוד בחדר. וידוע מאמר המדרש תנחומא עה"פ בשנה הרביעית יהי' גו' קדש הילולים ועיין ג"כ הל' תלמוד תורה לרבנו הזקן בתחלתו ויה"ר מהשי"ת שיגדל לבן חמש למקרא לבן עשר וכו' כפסק תוה"ק והוא וזוגתו שיחיו ירוו מכל יו"ח שיחיו רוב נחת חסידותי.
בברכה.
ב'תרכו
קדש הילולים : ראה גם לעיל ח"ד אגרת תתנה.