Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4825 — Chinuch

B"H

10 MarCheshvan* 5717

Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I have duly received your letter of the fifth day of MarCheshvan*, in which you describe the program of the yeshivah*, the study of the Zohar* and the writings of the Arizal*. You conclude by saying that your study is based on the method of such-and-such a person, who has illuminated our generation.

Without wishing to disparage anyone, nor to call into question any person or what concerns him — which is self-evident — I am particularly surprised to see that one studies Kabbalah* according to new explanations, new ways, despite the terrible words held by the holy Zohar* itself and, in even greater detail, by the introduction of Rabbi Chaim Vital* to the Sha'ar HaHakdamos*.

One can formulate here an a fortiori reasoning. If, in the earliest generations, to which this introduction of Rabbi Chaim Vital* refers, it was stated so categorically that the study of Kabbalah* must conform to the received tradition, how much more must this be so in our times.

Another point aroused great astonishment on my part. The Baal Shem Tov* received Divine revelation and he studied from his master, Achiya HaShiloni*, who was also the master of the prophet Eliyahu*. He then offered this teaching to his disciples, and they to the disciples of their disciples. This teaching spread ever more widely. The Kabbalah* and Chassidus* were propagated with broad explanations, having a strong foundation. How, then, can one adopt other explanations and other means?

The words of our masters enlighten us and bring us explanations, in the light of which we will go to greet our righteous Moshiach*, who will come, as he himself said, "when your wellsprings spread outward."

Even if one holds that, on a personal level, each individual may adopt the explanations that suit him, according to his understanding — and, in fact, one may ask whether this is indeed so — it is, in any event, unthinkable that one do the same when it concerns others. Thus says the Mishnah* at the end of chapter 5 of Tractate Eduyos*: "I myself received from many people. You have received from only one person." This is self-evident.

I have already explained elsewhere, drawing upon my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, of blessed memory, what is stated in several Chassidic texts. Happy is the portion of one who strives to spread the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov*, of his disciples, of the disciples of his disciples, as it is, with their explanations. Such a person walks on a sure path, and he will be rewarded first, for the merit of all depends upon him.

With my blessing,

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B"H

11 MarCheshvan* 5717

Brooklyn

To Liba (Mrs. L. Rimler, of Brooklyn),

Blessings and greetings,

You have informed me that you have become a kindergarten teacher, in order to educate Jewish girls according to sacred values, and I send you my response.

May Hashem grant that you accept this position at a good and fruitful time, in order to educate your students according to the foundations of our Torah*, Torah* of life, according to the Words of the living Elokim, so that they become an example and a source of pride.

It is no doubt unnecessary to point out to you the immense importance of engraving Jewish laws and customs in the memory of Jewish children. At kindergarten age, one cannot, properly speaking, speak of teaching. Despite this, one can verify concretely that the habits acquired by young children regarding these laws and customs are far more determining than their formal study at a more advanced age.

Moreover, to these laws and customs one must add a story that children can understand and that illustrates the subject to them.

No doubt you yourself have a fixed time for study and do not content yourself with reviewing what you have previously learned. You add to it, especially since Divine Providence has entrusted you with an important role and an effective responsibility, as I was saying — that of a Jewish and traditional education.

With my blessing of success in all that has just been said and for giving good news of it,

On behalf of the Rebbe, shlita*,

ד'תתכה

ב"ה, י"א מ"ח, תשי"ז
ברוקלין.
ליבא תחי'

ברכה ושלום!

במענה להודעתה אשר קבלה משרה בתור גננת לחינוך בנות ישראל על טהרת הקדש.

יהי רצון שתהי' הקבלה בשעה טובה ומוצלחת לחנך את המושפעים ומחונכים על יסודי תורתנו תורת חיים דברי אלקים חיים שיגדלו להיות לשם לתהלה ולתפארת.

ובודאי למותר להדגיש גודל הענין דחקיקת דתי ומנהגי ישראל בזכרונם של בני ישראל, ואף כי בגיל דגן ילדים אין זה בא בדרך לימוד, הרי רואים במוחש אשר בילדים קטנים אדרבה הרגילות בדיני ומנהגי ישראל קובע יותר מאשר לימוד בדינים ומנהגים אלו.

ובפרט אם למילוי הדינים ומנהגים אלו מצרפים איזה סיפור וביאור מתאים להבנת הילדים המטעים להם את הדין והמנהג.

בטח שיש לה קביעות עתים בעצמה ולא רק לחזור על מה שלמדה מכבר, אלא גם להוסיף על זה, ובפרט שההשגחה העליונה העמידתה בתפקיד נעלה ואחריותי כהאמור, הוא החינוך יהודי מסורתי.

בברכה להצלחה בכל האמור ולבשו"ט בזה,

בשם כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט " א