1464 —הדרכה על חיזוק קשרי התלמידים לישיבה וזהות יהודית

B"H, 22 Adar, 5712.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a num oseik b'tzorkhei tzibbur etc. Moshe Hecht

Shalom u'Vrachah!

a) Your letter from Tuesday of Parshas Tetzaveh was received in its proper time...

b) Enclosed are my letters to the students who were with me, and surely you will deliver them in the appropriate manner. Perhaps it is worthwhile to add a few words of your own explanation as well, in order to strengthen their connection to the yeshiva. It may also be proper for the delivery of these letters to take place in the presence of their parents, or at least that they should be aware of it; I rely on your understanding.

c) It is appropriate that you explain to Mr. ... that Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish people are not like other lands and nations; therefore, even their laws are different. We must rely on the Torah of Moshe and not imitate or follow after the laws of other nations. On the contrary: "Vehalchu goyim le'orech" (And nations shall walk by your light), and this applies even regarding Jewish life in the Diaspora—especially when establishing a way of life in Eretz HaKodesh (the Holy Land)—the first priority is to arrange it according to the spirit of Torah and rooted in its foundations, etc., etc.

With blessings for success in your holy work.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages strengthening students' ties to Torah institutions through personal involvement and parental participation, emphasizing that Jewish life—especially in Eretz Yisrael—must be founded upon Torah values rather than imitating other cultures.