2432 —רוחות הרסניות בחינוך ואחריות המחנכים

B"H, 24 Shevat, 5714.

Brooklyn, NY.

Yechezkel Kutcher.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to meet you and discuss with you some of the most pressing issues facing Israeli youth in particular. According to the saying of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, when two Jews meet, not only do both benefit, but their meeting should also bring good to others. I hope that our meeting will likewise benefit those influenced by us and our environment.

This is especially true regarding youth, for "a person is like a tree of the field," and even a slight change in a young sapling—or all the more so in a seed—can affect the entire course of the tree's life for better or for worse, G‑d forbid. Especially in our times, when destructive winds blow not only in the streets but have also penetrated educational institutions and even yeshivos, the responsibility (and consequently also the merit) of all those who can influence and whose voices are heard among youth is that much greater.

Such educators and influencers must view themselves as emissaries of the Holy One Blessed Be He in a specific place and time to illuminate, clarify, refine, and sanctify their surroundings with "the candle of mitzvah and the light of Torah," and with "the luminary within Torah." With this power it is possible to return even those who have strayed far from the path back to good—as our Sages say (Eichah Rabbah at its beginning, Petichta 2), "there is nothing that stands before willpower."

With respect and blessings for success in fulfilling this holy mission with an expanded mind.

Thank you for sending me your article "The Linguistic Background of Isaiah's Scroll," which I am returning as requested.

Incidentally, regarding what you explain at the end of your article about changes in words in Rabbi Meir's Torah—that it was a popular version or influenced by such a version—I do not think this explanation fits. Rabbi Meir was accepted as chief among scribes in his time; as our Sages relate, he would write from memory and then copy from it with utmost precision (Megillah 18b). It is also evident from one change in Rabbi Meir's Torah where it says "tov mot" instead of "tov me'od" (Bereishis Rabbah 9:5), which actually points to a deep idea or explanation rather than a popular version—especially since leading sages praised him for his literary expertise (Eruvin 13a; Gittin 67a; Koheles Rabbah 2:17).

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that educators today face unprecedented challenges due to negative influences infiltrating even religious schools. He urges them to recognize their vital role as G‑d’s emissaries to inspire youth through Torah’s light and emphasizes that sincere willpower can overcome any obstacle.