2635 —הבהרות על מצות החינוך בתניא ותיקונים מערכתיים

B"H, 6 Iyar, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b-tzt"z Moreinu HaRav Shneor Zalman Eliezer Gurvitz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 23rd of Nissan, in which you comment on what is written in Tanya regarding the education of a child (in parentheses), and that the mitzvah of education is also a positive commandment as stated in Orach Chaim section 343: There are two ways to interpret the phrase "also a positive commandment." Either the emphasis is on "positive commandment," meaning all the more so for negative commandments (as is indeed how the Alter Rebbe writes in his Shulchan Aruch section 343), or the emphasis is on "also," referring back to what was previously mentioned—that just as love is the root and foundation for positive commandments, so too, the mitzvah of education is also among positive commandments (since it does not matter here whether education is a negative commandment or not). According to this second interpretation, the word "also" makes more straightforward sense; for according to the first interpretation it would have sufficed to say "also positive commandments," and from the conclusion of the introduction—'but its essence comes from love with which one was educated,' etc.—the meaning of this parenthetical statement becomes clearer: it wants to emphasize that within love there is also the mitzvah of education.

This further clarifies that generally, parenthetical statements add something not essential for understanding but still relevant. The same applies here: The verse 'Educate a child' does not only refer specifically to before one becomes obligated in mitzvot; on the contrary (see Kiddushin 30a): 'from when he can speak... from when he can understand...' (Incidentally, note that in Hilchot Talmud Torah chapter 1 section 9 by the Alter Rebbe there appears to be a combination of two approaches. This is not the place for elaboration.) The parenthetical statement adds that one may interpret the verse literally as well—at a time when there is an actual obligation for education, i.e., at an age appropriate for education—and this should suffice.

It should also be noted further regarding your previous point: It seems that it begins with roots of serving G‑d—love and awe—but concludes only with love (and this does not relate to what was said above since awe is also a positive commandment). This can be explained based on what is explained elsewhere: within love there is also included awe—not only in hidden love as explained in Tanya chapter 18 but even in any form of love; because out of love one fears violating His will. As it says here too: Love is the foundation and root for fulfilling all positive commandments, which includes awe as well.

Regarding your comment about Tosafot's differing opinion whether education applies to negative commandments: certainly look into Bach on Orach Chaim section 343.

Regarding your note about editorial corrections—specifically about correcting 'four elements' (see also Rambam's Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah chapter 4), and adding this correction also in chapter 7 and similarly elsewhere on page 15: Yes, this is correct. Some omissions occurred due to haste during typesetting. Just as some matters were added between regular-format editions of Tanya and pocket-format editions, so too several corrections remain unincorporated even into later editions; more will be addressed at an appropriate time.

You mention in your letter a handwritten manuscript of Tanya from an early edition. Please inform me soon with more details about it and how long it might be available. Thank you in advance.

Summary

The Rebbe provides nuanced explanations regarding educational mitzvot discussed in Tanya and addresses editorial corrections, highlighting careful attention both to textual accuracy and deeper understanding of chassidic concepts.