3231 —חשיבות לימוד הלכות מעשיות בכל מוסדות חינוך

B"H, 26 Tevet, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Machatunim Haraha"g veHaraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Moreinu HaRav Gershon and his wife the Rebbetzin Mrs. Gasya.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After your long silence, I was pleased to receive your letters from the 20th and 22nd of Tevet. It is surprising that you did not specifically mention the farbrengen of the bright day, Yud-Tes Kislev, our festival of redemption and the liberation of our souls, and most importantly, making resolutions regarding practical action.

I was pleased to read in your letter about the public classes being learned. However, it is surprising that among these classes there is not also a class in learning the Halachot necessary for daily life—whose lack of knowledge is alarming—even though these are precisely the most needed areas. For this is the whole purpose: to do the mitzvot of Hashem that are to be done and not to do those that are not to be done; and the words of the Sages are weighty and binding, etc. See also Hilchot Talmud Torah by Rabbeinu HaZaken II:9.

May it be G‑d's will that you merit to influence your surroundings with this approach to study as mentioned above—beginning with knowing the laws even without their sources or reasoning. My intention is simply: blessings over enjoyment (Birchot HaNehenin), laws of prayer, carrying on Shabbat, etc., etc. If only I had the power, I would institute this study in all educational institutions—from kindergartens up through yeshivot and kollelim for Avrechim—because unfortunately and regrettably what they all have in common is a lack of proper attention to these studies. Especially in this generation when these things are not acquired by seeing them practiced at home or on the street; on the contrary, etc., and this suffices for one who understands.

As you requested, I will mention both of you at an auspicious time at the holy resting place (the tziyun) of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal nishmaso Eden zichrono tzaddik v'kadosh l'vracha zechuso yagen aleinu amen (may his merit protect us). May Hashem grant you success to share good news in all these matters and with bodily health—which is also holy—for it is G‑d's property; and sons and daughters of Israel are called a "holy nation," which includes even their bodies.

Blessings.

P.S. The saying from our Sages: "Every Torah scholar who engages...in Torah study—G‑d recites and repeats along with him," is from Tanna D'vei Eliyahu Rabbah beginning chapter 18 and Yalkut Shimoni Eichah remez 1374—even though there are slight variations in wording. Surely you will make use of Yud Shevat—the upcoming yahrzeit—in accordance with the wishes of its celebrant.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that learning practical Halachot must be prioritized across all levels of Jewish education so everyone knows how to properly fulfill mitzvot in daily life. This knowledge forms a foundation for living as a "holy nation," both spiritually and physically.