2419 —הוראת תלמידי ישיבה עם ביאורים וחשיבות לימוד החסידות

B"H, 21 Shevat, 5714. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received information from Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n involved in tzt"z etc. Moreinu HaRav... that your honor's health is not as it should be and he requests that I mention you for healing. When I am at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzukal lehe nbgm zya, I will mention you for a complete recovery, and may Hashem grant each of us to share only good news with one another always.

I will use this opportunity, relying on our sages' saying "We only urge those who are already diligent," to encourage your honor regarding what is known and also evident: it is essential that every yeshiva and educational institution strive greatly to instill fear of Heaven in their students—not only through supervision of their conduct but also through appropriate studies. Since it is the nature of a yeshiva student to seek explanation in everything and not just accept things as mere orders, it is therefore necessary to teach them in a way that suits this nature. This has led to agreement in all yeshivas to introduce either Mussar study or the study of Chassidus.

One difference between studying Mussar and studying Chassidus regarding this matter is that Mussar generally humbles and therefore constricts the student, while Chassidus elevates a person and brings about expansion (though of course there are aspects in Mussar study that bring joy and expansion, and aspects in Chassidus that bring humility and contraction). Another point in favor of studying Chassidus is that it more readily leads to love and awe of Hashem, as explained by Rambam in Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah—that one comes to love and fear Him by contemplating these matters.

Your honor has been granted from Heaven the merit to be appointed as Rosh Metivta (head of a yeshiva) and an influencer over many Avrechim and students; certainly you have also been given the strength for this task—fitting for our times—to influence those under your guidance to draw them closer to learning Chassidus.

Surely for someone like yourself no explanation is needed: although generations ago it was possible for a yeshiva to manage without any Mussar study because even the street was G‑d-fearing, things changed in the last two generations when undesirable influences began blowing through the world—even entering yeshivas—so Mussar was introduced into their curriculum. In our current generation—a doubled darkness—it is impossible to fulfill our duty with Mussar alone; every Torah student must also learn the inner dimension of Torah called by the Zohar "the soul of Torah," so as to safeguard their study of Nigleh (the revealed part) of Torah and enable today's youth to come to love and awe of Hashem as above. It is already well known that the Arizal ruled specifically in our generation it is a mitzvah to reveal this wisdom (meaning the inner dimension of Torah).

With respect and blessings for a speedy recovery.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that yeshiva students need explanations tailored to their inquisitive nature. He stresses adding Chassidus study alongside Mussar so students can develop true love and awe for Hashem—especially vital in our spiritually challenging times.