2394 —לימוד תורת נשיא הדור והתקשרות רוחנית אישית

B"H, 7 Shevat, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n melachto melachet shamayim Moreinu HaRav Shlomo Chaim Kaselman

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your two letters from the 19th of Tevet and Erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat with their enclosures. Surely by now you have received my detailed letter regarding the management of Tomchei Temimim in Lod as well as the arrangements for Yud Shevat, which is approaching, in a fitting manner. Since, according to information received here, there was a strong impression made by students from other yeshivot at the recent Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen, let the past serve as a lesson for the future to continue in this way. Even though part of the farbrengen must therefore be presented differently to suit those new to this matter, I rely on your understanding.

2) I have already written several times—and I repeat again now—that there is no displeasure or issue from my side whatsoever. Regarding what you wrote about learning the Torah of the Nasi HaDor—my revered father-in-law, Admor zatzukal lehavdil ben chayim mezakeh zichro yagen aleinu—I did not mean, G‑d forbid, to negate learning Chassidus from previous Rebbes whom he succeeded; that is obvious. Rather, every student must establish his connection according to his own time and generation, and this connection is through learning the Torah of his Nasi, as explained in many letters and also quoted in Hayom Yom. Therefore I expressed my opinion that such study is specifically required. Since according to your letter this has already been arranged for some time, there is no room for any concern about displeasure.

3) My letter to the student... surely arrived on time. Certainly you will further explain what was mentioned above: that one must be especially careful regarding physical health—as Rambam writes in Hilchot Deot—that otherwise it disrupts service of Hashem; this is also evident in practice and even within these very matters. And even if maintaining health requires arranging his study and prayer schedule differently than he is used to—and perhaps for him it may feel like "they have broken Your Torah," G‑d forbid—he must find suitable words of explanation for himself, especially based on the saying of my revered teacher Admor Maharash n"a: sometimes even the yetzer hara can dress up in a silk kapoteh.

4) All that was said above also serves as guidance for how to lead other students: in our generation extra care must be taken with their health. Of our generation it can be said—many times over—what Rabbeinu HaZaken writes in Iggeret HaTeshuvah chapter 3: "But all this applies only to someone who is strong and healthy... but one who..." The same applies regarding fasts and self-afflictions—even those discussed in Tanya chapter 27—and skipping meals etc., especially since our Nasi has already shown us how to serve even in our generation. As Admor Maharash said (quoted at end of page 72 in his Sefer HaToldot)...

With blessings for success in your holy work and regards to all who inquire after me and your students especially. Awaiting good news.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that connecting with one's generation's Nasi comes through studying his Torah while not excluding earlier teachings. He stresses caring for physical health as essential for spiritual growth—for oneself and when guiding others—adapting approaches as needed without guilt or hesitation.