1205 —ייסוד ישיבה במלבורן והדרכה בבחירת שם

B"H, 19 Elul, 5711.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"g veHaraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik be-tzt"z etc. Asher Abramson

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter in due time and ask your forgiveness that due to many preoccupations and heavy workload I was unable to respond properly to your two previous letters until now. Surely, during these days of mercy and favor, you will also forgive this.

I was pleased to read in your letter the account of how you have strived and continue striving to acquire a building for the yeshiva in Melbourne, and that Hashem has granted success in finding a suitable building. Without doubt, over time all necessary means for payment will also be provided. Most importantly, may Hashem increase your boundaries with good students; when the main thing is present, the secondary will follow naturally.

Regarding your question about the name: if you have already named it, do not change it. But if it is still before a decision has been made—and especially since at least initially it will not be possible to organize the institution according to all desired standards in the spirit of Anash—my suggestion is to name it "Oholei Yosef Yitzchak Lubavitch." In general, for educational institutions I am now founding, I strive—when appropriate—to name them after my father-in-law, whose teachings we drink from and by whose words we live.

The greatness of founding and developing a yeshiva on pure holiness—which is even holier than terumah (the hint being that terumah corresponds to the world of Beriah while kodesh refers to Atzilus as stated in Zohar III 94b "the word itself," thus fourth is only by kodesh), and its corresponding part in Torah is Sod (the secret) which belongs to Atzilus—that is, Torah study founded and illuminated by its inner light: Chassidus. This cannot be measured or detailed even over years properly spent—especially now during this time of crisis when Jews are scattered far from each other and even their soul powers are scattered from so many worries compared to previous years. All the more so must we seek out every unifying element—especially in Torah which is one for all but whose unity is most emphasized in its inner dimension.

As is simple: there are no disputes or divisions there as found in nigleh (revealed) Torah; at root this is because it comes from Ilana DeChayei (the Tree of Life) not Ilana DeTov VeRa (the Tree of Good and Evil), as explained in Iggeres HaKodesh sec. 26—therefore there are no difficulties or disputes there (see Zohar and Iggeres HaKodesh).

Especially nowadays at ikvesa d'meshicha (the footsteps of Mashiach), as our exile nears its end and Mashiach's coming approaches—it is all the more important to bring light into new places, especially when bringing forth the source of light itself.

I pray that Hashem's desire will succeed through your hands speedily—as explained in the maamar printed for 12 Tammuz this year—that it should be natural yet above nature; may the light grow ever brighter until "night will shine like day."

Our Sages have already said that all who engage in such matters merit that the merit of the many depends on them—to bestow upon them every needed blessing for themselves and all theirs.

Please convey my regards to the entire group individually; since you were chosen as their emissary to inform me of this good news, I send my blessing through you to each one: may they be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year.

M. Schneerson

Enclosed: an excerpt from a sicha delivered Shabbos Mevorchim Rosh Chodesh Elul—which you will surely publicize appropriately—and a booklet about communal activism which you will surely find valuable.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages establishing yeshivas rooted in holiness and Chassidus, stresses unity through inner Torah study especially during challenging times, offers practical advice on naming institutions after his father-in-law, and sends blessings for success in these holy endeavors.