958 —הנהגה רבנית, חינוך, וכוח הביטול

B"H, 24th of Adar Sheni, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Ephraim Eliezer Yales

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letters in due time and was pleased to read that the matter of the Rav Av Beit Din is progressing and being arranged. May Hashem bless and guard him (as per the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah: "Kahana mesayei kohanei," Chullin 49a) to lead his community in peace and uprightness (and nevertheless) to bring many back from sin—especially in the field of kosher education. According to reports, even the little that remains here and there is alarmingly diminishing.

It is well known that my father-in-law, the Rebbe, said in his early years here: "There is supervision over what is put into pots; why isn't there supervision over what is put into heads?!" See also Chullin 45a: what is in the pot; and from the verse "veToratecha betoch mei'ai" (Your Torah is within my innards), Tanya chapter five; regarding the number of chapters in Tehillim—see also Minchat Shai's introduction to Tehillim, the introduction to Tehillim Rodelheim edition, Yafeh Einayim on Berachot 9b.

Enclosed is the receipt for your sending from Machatzit HaShekel funds. On a lighter note regarding what you wrote in your letter—that you feel a lack of bittul (self-nullification): your Machatzit HaShekel comes and nullifies this feeling! For a Kohen who gives is because he hands it over to the community—beautifully so—nothing remains under his ownership or authority at all (Shekalim 4b), or at least it becomes nullified (Arachin 4a with Rashi). Yet still, Kohanim seek... for even negating one's ownership still has some connection. Therefore Moshe asked: "Al tefen el minchatam" (Do not regard their offering), even though it was a communal offering. See my note in Kuntres chapter three page 31 at its end.

As you requested—I will mention you when I am at the Tziyun on Rosh Chodesh HaGeulah that is approaching.

I am very pained that so far the haraha"ch etc.... has not yet settled into a suitable position; Shabbat comes and goes, month comes and goes, etc.

I will conclude with best wishes for all good.

Summary

The Rebbe emphasizes steadfast rabbinic leadership and communal responsibility, especially in education. He highlights bittul as essential for true service and encourages perseverance despite challenges. Spiritual vigilance over both material and intellectual nourishment is vital.