2306 —השתתפות בבר מצוה של תלמיד והימנעות מדברים אסורים

B"H, 22 Kislev, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Avraham Yaakov Gluchovsky

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter—without indication of when it was written—in which you write about your schedule of learning with various classes. May Hashem grant you success in instilling in your students the Torah of the living G‑d and a spirit of pure fear of Heaven.

2) Regarding your question about attending the bar mitzvah of one of your students: you did not specify where the bar mitzvah will take place. If it will be in a synagogue where prayer is forbidden and, as is customary in your country, the bar mitzvah is held during prayer together with aliyot, etc.—which raises several questions—it is not advisable to participate so that your presence will not be seen as an endorsement. For if you attend, then certainly others will feel permitted to come and pray there as well.

However, if the bar mitzvah is held elsewhere and not during prayer time, surely a way can be found for you to participate without this being seen as an endorsement of prohibited matters.

With blessings for success in both general and personal matters, awaiting good news.

P.S. Enclosed are receipts for the checks you sent, as well as a copy of my general letter regarding the Festival of Redemption Yud-Tes Kislev—which truly applies all year round. Surely you will publicize its content to those for whom it is appropriate.

Summary

The Rebbe guides that one should avoid attending events that may imply approval of questionable practices but encourages participation when no halachic issues are present. Careful consideration ensures one's actions do not inadvertently endorse what is prohibited.