Weekly Moment With the Rebbe

Two parents are at a loss, coping with their son’s increase in Torah study and wondering if their Aliyah, move to Israel, is the really the right thing. How does the Rebbe put their fears to rest? The Avner Institute presents an “exceptional” letter lauding double commitment – of an eager young man for greater observance in a highly secular age and of caring two parents for their strong new life in the Holy Land. With special thanks to Rabbi Leibel Groner OBM, of the Rebbe’s secretariat, for the letter.

B”H
15 Elul 5744
Brooklyn, NY

Dr. and Mrs. ——-:

Sholom uBrocho.
Your letter of Aug. 25 reached me with some delay. In it you write about your son’s desire to transfer to a yeshiva of his choice to upgrade his Torah education, but that you did not approve of it for reasons cited in your letter.
Incidentally, among the letters that came with yours, there was a letter from a parent about a son wanting to transfer to a yeshiva where the atmosphere of yiras shomayim [fear of Heaven] is less strict; also a letter from other parents seeking advice on how to deal with their son who wants to leave his religious education altogether. Thus, your letter was exceptional.

Opposite Forces
There is surely no need to point out to you that, regrettably, in this day and age, the forces of non-religious, or minimal religious education, are far greater than those pulling in the opposite direction.
Considering the pressures of the environment on the young generation (which, for various reasons, are more difficult to resist in our Holy Land), I hope you will agree with me that far from being upset by Zvi’s desire to upgrade his Torah education, you ought to thank G-d every day for having been blessed with a son whose greatest desire is to deepen and advance his Torah education in the fullest possible measure.
The above is, of course, in addition to a clear psak-din [ruling] in the Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law] to the effect that “one should always learn Torah in the place his heart desires.”
I am certain that if you review the situation calmly, you will come to the same conclusion, namely, that you should indeed be truly grateful to Hashem for Zvi’s determined resolve, and, moreover, should encourage him in it.
Tests & Trials

It being the month of Elul, it is especially inappropriate to speak, or even think, anything but good about fellow Jews, particularly those living in Eretz Yisroel. Nevertheless, when it concerns a most important decision, one must not close one’s eyes to the reality of the situation. And the reality is that our youngsters and adolescents in the Holy Land nowadays have to face extraordinary tests and trials; and that the trend – there as well as in the world at large – has not been totally in the direction of a growing commitment to ol malchus shomayim [Heavenly yoke].
It is therefore necessary to consider not only the status quo, but also what the situation may be next year, and the year after. Hence, even if the status quo were satisfactory, an extra measure of immunization and resistance capacity must be built up ahead of time. This is particularly essential in the teenage years, when the foundation is laid for the whole life ahead.
Be it remembered that even a Tsaddik gamur [completely righteous person] prays in the beginning of the day throughout his lifetime: al tvienu lidei nisayon – to not lead yourself to temptation.
Since these days of Elul are especially auspicious for a bracha, I can confidently extend to you the bracha that if Zvi will follow the path he has chosen, you will certainly have much true nachas [joy] from him in every respect, and much sooner than you expect.

Steady Advancement

To conclude on the concluding remark of your letter referring to our meeting in 1970 in connection with your planned aliyah [immigration to Israel] – I will add the prayerful wish that you should continue the “aliyah” process in all aspects relevant to your living in the Holy Land, in keeping with a steady advancement of yalchu mechayil el chayil – from strength to strength and from good to better and better, including also growing nachas from Zvi and from all your offspring.

Wishing you and all of yours kesiva vechasima tova le shana tova umetukah be’gashmius uberuchnius gam yachad [to be sealed for a good sweet year, both materially and spiritually].
[signature]

P.S. I did not wish the following remarks to intrude in the letter itself, though relevant to the subject matter. Hence the P.S.

I trust you remember our meeting and conversation as clearly as I do. You will recall your pessimistic view of the world situation at that time, and of the USA in particular, although at that time there was not as yet any talk of nuclear annihilation, but only of atomic bombs, etc. Yet you felt impelled to leave the USA.

Since then, many years have elapsed and, thank G-d, your pessimism has turned out to be entirely unfounded.

I mention this here, not, of course, by way of saying “I told you so,” but to support my conviction that your present “pessimism” regarding Zvi – if he should not change his decision (which accords with the Shulchan Aruch) – is likewise entirely unfounded. On the contrary, the fullest optimism and expectation are warranted that you will have from him the maximum amount of true Yiddish nachas, and will be glad in retrospect that you did not stand in his way, but, indeed, encouraged him.

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