2006 —תלמיד חייב להכיר ולנהוג לפי הנהלת הישיבה

B"H, 13 Shevat, 5713. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

... Regarding the content of your above letter. I told him in our conversation here that it is absolutely incorrect for a yeshiva student—no matter which yeshiva—not to recognize (anerkennt nit) the authority of the yeshiva administration, and it is absolutely necessary to behave according to the yeshiva's regulations... This causes great confusion both for the student himself and for his classmates.

It is well known the story of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, that when he was the active director of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva, his father, my revered father-in-law (the Rebbe Rashab), would not intervene in the administration of the yeshiva except through him as the active director. Once, when an incident occurred otherwise, he immediately corrected and arranged his instructions through my father-in-law. It is self-understood and obvious that I do not compare the administration of the yeshiva to my father-in-law any more than I compare him to my revered father-in-law (the Rebbe Rashab)—to distinguish between life and eternal life—(rather it is like Yevamos 105b).

Therefore, the lesson for each one of us is that when a son or relative enters a yeshiva, it is recognized and impossible otherwise but to set aside one's own will... Rather... one should use all their influence on their son so he fulfills the administration's directives fully—even if there are matters that do not seem right to the father or relative: a) There may be doubt as to who is correct—the administration or the parent. b) Even if it were true that the parent is correct, still, the administration has support from the founder of the yeshiva and from those who appointed them as guardians; therefore they are given powers for success—even their mistakes—and as in "Gam zu l'tovah" (this too is for good), which is even more than "Kol mah d'avid Rachmana l'tav avid" (all that G‑d does is for good).

Additionally, it is customary to present arguments to the administration and ask them to consider them; if after consideration they maintain their position, one can rely on G‑d that in Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva it will ultimately turn out for good... Then one can be confident that his son will succeed in his studies both in Nigleh (revealed Torah) and Chassidus...

I hope you will take upon yourself at least for several months not to intervene at all—in fact, make it easier for your son regarding discipline and conduct according to yeshiva order.

Blessings for proper health and all good in both material and spiritual matters. Awaiting good news.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that students must respect yeshiva authority fully. Parents should support this discipline even if they disagree with certain decisions, trusting G‑d's guidance brings ultimate benefit through adherence to established order.