1233 —אפשערעניש, חינוך, וברכות לילד צעיר

B"H, 28 Tishrei, 5712. Brooklyn.

Harav vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Yisrael Yehuda Levin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your notification about the "upsherenish" of your son Shalom Dovber—due to matters of the month of Tishrei I did not have time to answer until now—I hereby express my blessing that his parents should raise him to Torah, marriage, and good deeds with abundance.

These are the words of my revered father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe zatzal (may his merit protect us), which he wrote regarding the haircut at three years old: "...Regarding cutting the hair—upsherenish—it is a significant matter in Jewish custom. Its main point is in the education of leaving the peyos (side locks) of the head. From the day of cutting and leaving the peyos of the head, it is customary to be meticulous in training the child in wearing tzitzis and reciting morning blessings, Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals), and Shema before bed. May Hashem help them raise him to Torah, marriage, and good deeds with ample livelihood and peace of mind both materially and spiritually."

Blessings for proper health for him and your entire family.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights the upsherenish as a meaningful tradition marking a child's entry into Jewish education. He encourages parents to begin mitzvah training from this milestone and blesses them with success in raising their child in Torah values.