1159 —הוראת שחיטה עם יראת שמים

B"H, 1 Elul, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Avraham Gordon

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It was pleasant for me to learn that you continue the good custom established by the instruction of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory, namely to organize each year a class of students for the craft of shechita, and that you stand at their head and teach them knowledge in this art. I also heard that this year as well you have begun this work today with enthusiasm and willingness. May it be G‑d's will that for many more years you will be able to influence the younger generation in teaching this craft, which according to halachah is especially connected with yiras shamayim (awe of Heaven), as is known that a shochet's presumption of kashrus must be even stronger than that of a rabbi, etc.

And as our Sages say, even a head of a water carrier is appointed from Heaven; how much more so regarding Torah teaching and all connected with it—that such an appointment is from Heaven. Therefore, it is revealed in him an extra measure of yiras shamayim beyond what was until now.

Enclosed is a section from the farbrengen of Shabbos Mevarchim Elul (printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. II p. 623), which explains the matter and hint that Elul stands for "Ana Leyado Vesamti Lecha" (Shemot 21:13; "I will designate for you"). This refers to the concept of cities of refuge. Regarding cities of refuge our Sages say (Makkos 10a) one should only teach Torah to worthy students because if a student becomes liable for exile his teacher is exiled with him. As explained in the sicha section VI—but in our case my heart confidently trusts in Hashem that since these students are students of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, and study in his yeshivah, therefore you can go forward with broad shoulders.

May it be G‑d's will that you derive much nachas from them both in their study of shechita and their yiras shamayim. May we merit soon the coming of the great shochet—namely Hashem—who will come and slaughter the yetzer hara (the northern one), as explained in Sukkah (52a), and as my father-in-law, the Rebbe said: may it be with kindness and mercy—kindness being Avraham Avinu's trait and mercy being Yaakov's trait—as explained regarding Yaakov who redeemed Avraham (see Tanya end ch. 45). Between these two there is no concern from Yitzchak's trait of gevurah (severity).

This is also explained regarding shofar blowing in Zohar—that it hints at Yom HaDin (Day of Judgment), since on Rosh Chodesh Elul we begin blowing shofar; then Hashem rises from His seat of judgment and sits on His seat of mercy.

With blessings for success and a good inscription and sealing—especially proper health for you and your wife.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights how teaching shechita requires not only technical skill but deep yiras shamayim. He encourages influencing students positively, links Elul to spiritual preparation, and blesses the recipient with success and health.