3009 —מבנה טים, מוטיבציה של תלמידים, ויישום מעשי של תורה

B"H, 8th of Marcheshvan, 5715. Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n engaged in tzt"z Moreinu HaRav Tzvi Shusterman

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After a long silence, I was pleased to receive your letter from Motzaei Shabbat Kodesh in which you write how matters have settled in the Talmud Torah and the arrangement of the various classes. I greatly enjoyed hearing that you introduced several initiatives to foster positive rivalry among the students, which will surely bear fruit by awakening the inner strengths present in every Jew so they are revealed in action and influence their daily lives. In this context, your idea to organize a minyan for them is very appropriate since it allows for the election of a gabbai or leader from among the boys themselves. It is well known how much youth in America are enthusiastic about arrangements that have a team structure with a leader, captain, etc.

Your plan regarding learning with adults also makes a good impression—calling them "windows to Judaism." Surely you have also seen the articles about prayer and its components printed in Hats and Tales—even though they are written for youth, their point and foundation are true and will certainly benefit your lectures as well.

As I wrote to you previously: even though it is not always necessary to emphasize the following point openly, there must at least be a hidden goal—that every meeting and lecture should increase the listeners’ enthusiasm and knowledge regarding practical mitzvah observance in daily life because ultimately this is the essence of man. This is also understood all the more so from what is explained many times in Chassidus that even the loftiest intellectual attainment must lead to practical application; elaborating on this simple matter is surely unnecessary. Certainly one can find a diplomatic way—if necessary—so that the intention behind every lecture is not too obvious…

Summary

The Rebbe highlights the importance of motivating students through team structures and leadership opportunities while stressing that all educational efforts should ultimately inspire practical mitzvah observance in everyday life.