157 —הצלחה של הביכעלע שבועות וחשיבות חינוך יהודי טהור

B"H, Thursday, 24 Sivan, 5704.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter from several weeks ago was received on time; I have not answered until now because I was occupied with preparing for print the Kuntras Chicago, Kuntres Lubavitch number two, etc. Please accept my apologies. The little "Shavuos" booklet had great success and this encourages us to continue the series of such booklets. I thank you on behalf of Merkaz L'Inyonei Chinuch for taking a major part in their distribution.

Three years ago, when my father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, went to establish Merkaz L'Inyonei Chinuch, many people said: In America such a thing cannot exist; America is different; many things that are forbidden elsewhere must be done in America; in America everything is permitted. However, our work has proven that in America it is possible—and necessary—to have education based on purity and holiness: learning books and reading brochures completely free from heresy; groups of small children born here who are drawn to Shabbos and Judaism, etc., etc. But we must have helpers because the work is very great and very important. Therefore, every dedicated friend is so precious to us and we hope he will bring along his friends as well.

In this week's Torah portion we read about the episode of the spies. The spies were leaders of Israel and at that time they were righteous. Even after that they began by saying: "It is a land flowing with milk and honey," but then added: "The people who dwell in the land are strong... Amalek dwells in the south..."—all of which was true. But their conclusion—"We cannot go up against the people for they are stronger than us"—was false. The Gemara explains (Sotah 35a) that this means: as if even the Owner cannot remove His belongings—heresy.

Similarly today: people claim that America is a land flowing with milk and honey; all material pleasures are available and one is immersed in them; surrounded by Amalekites—so how can one even speak to another who is distant from Judaism about adopting a strict Torah-observant life? This is not the place for it! Such thinking, G‑d forbid, is contrary to faith. One must simply have firm resolve—as Kalev said: "We shall surely go up"—and then automatically "we shall surely overcome."

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that pure Jewish education can thrive even in challenging environments like America if approached with faith and determination. Success comes through collective effort and unwavering commitment to Torah values despite societal pressures.