1687 —חששות מהיחשבות ללמדן והדרכה בלימוד תורה

B"H, 7th of Tammuz, 5712.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 29th of Sivan, in which you write that you hope the wedding will take place with Hashem's help in Menachem Av or before that, and that the conditions were set for Elul; it would seem that if the wedding was not held by the 13th of Tammuz or earlier, it is worthwhile to hold it in the month of Elul, the month of mercy—especially as you wrote that this was set in the conditions...

3) Regarding what you wrote about your concern that people apparently consider you a scholar (lamdan), while you know your true state is not so: it is well known what our Sages ruled—'Yagata u'matzata ta'amin' ('If you have labored and found, believe'). Therefore, it is within your power to succeed properly in this area. Especially since, thanks to your involvement in proper education—doing tzedakah both spiritually and materially with Jewish boys and girls—it is well known (as our Rebbe the Alter Rebbe promises at the beginning of Torah Or) that through this one's mind and heart become refined a thousand times over. From this we learn two things: even when one does tzedakah, one must also engage in Torah study—for it only says one's mind and heart become refined; b) when one studies Torah after such tzedakah work, there will be extraordinary success. Simply put: in one hour he will succeed as much as he would have succeeded in a thousand hours without his charitable work. As explained in Likkutei Torah on three parshiyot in the glosses to that discourse—that 'a thousand times' means literally a thousand times.

4) Regarding your question whether it is worthwhile to travel a long distance to pray within the walls of the yeshiva: generally speaking, it's impossible to give a universal answer because it depends on how long the journey is and whether it affects health etc. On the other hand, it's worthwhile to strive to maintain your connection with the yeshiva and its students for the future as well—especially since you are marrying into a family which according to your words is not from among Chassidim. Therefore even if going there takes some extra time for you, it's worthwhile; there is reward for both going and doing.

5) Similarly regarding your second question—whether you should take upon yourself responsibility for registering those who come to study Chassidus at the yeshiva—you should consult about this with those present on site who can assess how important this work is.

6) Regarding your question: whether the outer garment worn at the chuppah should be worn on one's first Yom Kippur—the answer is this applies only to the kittel. And it's not precise that it must be exactly the same kittel worn at the chuppah; rather, since you've already worn a kittel at your chuppah, you should not wear any kittel (even another one) on Yom Kippur within that year.

7) Your question whether you're allowed to taste or drink something before sleep—I have never heard any prohibition regarding this; perhaps some explanation was missing from your letter.

8) Regarding what you wrote about books published by Kehot: I have already requested some time ago to organize libraries both at Yeshivas Toras Emes and through Kollel. They promised me they would arrange this months ago. It's surprising from your letter that things are still not organized; please let me know details about this—surely there is a way to fix it.

With blessings for success in general matters and in your personal affairs.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages perseverance in Torah study alongside charitable work and assures unique spiritual benefit from such efforts. He provides practical advice on marriage timing, maintaining yeshiva ties, communal responsibilities, and personal halachic questions.