3255 —יסוד בית ספר והשפעתו על הקהילה

B"H, 8th of Shevat, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n ish rav pe'alim Moreinu HaRav Shmuel Aba Snyag

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After your silence, I was pleased to receive your letter from the 5th of Shevat with the enclosed pan (petition for blessing), which I will read at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory. I enjoyed reading in your letter about the farbrengen on the bright day of Yud-Tes Kislev that passed, and especially about the practical resolutions for the entire year that have already begun to be fulfilled.

Regarding what you wrote about establishing schools in your camp: In such matters, there is a difference whether one is going from right to left or left to right. That is, if without establishing the school, the children would not receive any Jewish education at all—then even a small measure of salvation is still salvation. However, if the situation is the opposite—that without establishing the school there is an increase in Torah study—then obviously and simply one should not weaken or reduce this.

Seemingly, since you write in your letter that until now the state of learning was excellent and that the concern for change is only because control has passed into other hands, it is very likely that with proper acquaintance with representatives of the American occupation it will be possible to maintain education without changing it. Especially since their current movement is to strengthen all religious matters as much as possible because they have realized this is the only shield and defense against "the Reds," whose fear weighs upon them.

If the rabbis present this matter with full force and explain in a way visible even to fleshly eyes that no matter how much religious study increases it is still not enough—and certainly one cannot give up on any part of the previous program—the authorities will accept these words. May Hashem grant success so that these words come from the heart and therefore have their effect: bringing closer the hearts of Jewish sons and daughters to our Father in Heaven for their good both materially and spiritually.

Certainly you will gather on Yud Shevat, the upcoming yahrzeit. Many thanks for sharing good news about all of this.

Blessings.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that starting a school must be weighed by its real impact: if it provides essential Jewish education otherwise lacking, it is worthwhile; but if it risks weakening existing Torah study, caution is needed. Engaging authorities can help preserve strong religious learning.