850 —עידוד בלימוד וברכות למשפחה

B"H, 5 Teves, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Mehoranan Neminov

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter from 13 Kislev. In general, please know that if my response is delayed, it is only due to the many preoccupations surrounding me, which increase daily—especially the preparation for printing maamarim and sichos that require peace of mind and deep contemplation, which can only come through effort and distancing oneself from daily distractions. Sometimes it is difficult to decide what takes precedence: replying personally to your private question—which concerns you deeply—or using the time to publish a maamar or sichah, which is important for many but there are already several published that have not yet been fully studied. It is hard to resolve this dilemma.

On the recent Yud-Tes Kislev, the Festival of Redemption, while at the Ohel (the resting place), I read the lists of administration, teachers, and students according to what you sent me before Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Surely our Nasi—the Previous Rebbe—has given his blessing to each one for all their needs, and may Hashem fulfill the blessings of a tzaddik both materially and spiritually.

Thank you for your effort in sending the letter to Haratz shiyichyeh. I hope it was beneficial in spreading the wellsprings outward...

Regarding your suggestion to establish a daily study session in the teachings of the Previous Rebbe: In general this is correct, but it is difficult for me to establish new fixed sessions now—especially without a set time limit. Even when I previously suggested certain things, there was always a time frame—such as eleven months after histalkus or during the entire year of histalkus—but to now set an ongoing study session for many people is something I have not yet decided upon.

It is understood that anyone who feels this matter personally should certainly strengthen themselves by setting a regular study session several times a week or every day in these maamarim; surely this will add strength and connection. It is also clear that this does not refer to learning in yeshiva itself—and obviously studying Chassidus there should be given an important place, especially in higher classes—the study of our Previous Rebbe's teachings.

What I suggested here relies on the maamar "VeHadarta Pnei Zaken" in Likkutei Torah and what was discussed about this in a sichah printed in the booklet for Yud-Tes Kislev: that everyone should have certain maamarim of our Previous Rebbe etched in memory—especially a maamar or part thereof from Yud Shevat 5710 (the day of histalkus), as explained at length at this year's Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen.

I conclude with Mazal Tov blessings on the birth of your granddaughter—may you and your wife raise her to Torah, chuppah, and good deeds with abundance; may you both see much nachas from her.

With Mazal Tov blessings,
Menachem Schneerson

P.S.: Regarding panim (requests) from your students (for last Rosh Hashanah)—there are none here. However, several panim were received without any family name or address—even on the envelope. Perhaps some mentioned above are among them. Please send me an exact copy of what you wrote him regarding 5709.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while communal needs are vital, personal spiritual growth through regular study should not be neglected. He encourages individuals to set their own learning schedules and blesses families with joy and success in raising children within Torah values.