72 —עידוד בחינוך, לעורר גם את הנראים רחוקים

B"H, Thursday, the 8th of Iyar, 5715.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

...And by way of wit it can be said regarding this week's Torah portion: "Emor v'Amarta leHazhir Gedolim al haKetanin" (Say and you shall say, to caution the elders regarding the minors): In three places (Yevamos 114a) the Torah cautions the elders (in understanding) about the minors (in understanding), and they are: Blood—because even though they were steeped in blood to eat it (as Rabbi Yehuda says, Sifri quoted in Rashi on Devarim 12:23), nevertheless one should not say, "What will my efforts in proper education help since he is immersed in his heart's desires?" Impure creatures—even though one who eats them does so only to anger his Creator (Horayos 11a), for even his soul is disgusted by them; if so, what hope is there in speaking to him? The impurity of Kohanim—the matter of purity and impurity is not something that can be explained rationally (Rambam at the end of Hilchos Mikvaos), and it applies only to Kohanim whom G‑d chose to serve before Him. Thus an educator might say: How can I explain such matters—especially since he could answer: "I will be like all other nations and do not wish to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Therefore the Torah warns us not to despair. Every Jew—whoever he may be—is cautioned about him: to do everything possible to set him on the path of truth and awaken the point of Jewishness within him. Especially actual children, who are like material in the hands of their educators.

With blessings for immediate teshuvah and immediate redemption.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that no matter how distant or challenging a Jew may seem—even if rational arguments appear ineffective—we must never give up on inspiring them. Every Jew has a core spark that can be awakened through persistent love and effort.