786 —חיזוק חינוך התורה ותפקיד המרא דאתרא

B"H, 5th of Marcheshvan, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Because of the many demands of the month of Tishrei, I did not have time to write to you, and surely you received my letter from the 25th of Elul. Even now I write only briefly due to lack of time.

I begin by thanking Haraha"g Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m who is involved in communal needs with faith, a man of many accomplishments etc. Michael Lipsker, who has already given you some books to send to me; many thanks for this.

At the start of this new period, the academic year 5711, I will quote here a saying from Admor HaZaken, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch: Why is a rabbi called 'mara d'asra'? Because from Above he is given both the merit and obligation to be master—owner—of his entire place. This applies also in spiritual matters: although every Jew has free choice and everything is in Heaven's hands except fear of Heaven, nevertheless, since deep within every Jew there is a desire to fulfill G‑d's will through Torah study and mitzvah observance—only sometimes his evil inclination overpowers him—the mara d'asra has the power, with proper effort and pleasantness, to show his community members the great good and boundless happiness that comes with Torah study and mitzvah observance. Our Sages have already said that words coming from the heart enter the heart.

This applies here as well; my strong hope is that your honor, shlita, as mara d'asra, will use your great influence to strengthen and expand the Talmud Torah in our camp. It is certain that your community members will assist you in increasing Torah and glorifying it. And according to Admor HaZaken's saying above—that you are indeed the mara d'asra—for your honor and those like you there is no need for lengthy explanation on this.

I thank you in advance if I receive good news about all that is done in this regard. And conversely—as our Sages said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because they neglected children's Torah study; so too, by expanding schools for children's Torah study we will soon merit, speedily in our days, the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu and true complete redemption—Amen.

May your peace and Torah increase with tranquility and broad-mindedness. Awaiting good news,

Menachem Schneerson

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that a community rabbi holds unique power to inspire others toward Torah study and mitzvah observance. By using heartfelt words and positive influence, one can uplift their community and help bring about redemption.