3395 —בגיל עשרים ושתיים, לעסוק בשידוך ובהוראה כמנהג ירושלים

B"H, 8th of Nissan, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 21st of Adar, where you write about your family situation and your age—being 22—and that you stand at a crossroads whether to continue in the teaching profession you began and succeeded in, or to continue your studies in yeshivah, and you ask my opinion on this.

According to what is customary in Jerusalem—a proper and good custom based on Torah—not to delay marriage until an older age, one should energetically seek a good shidduch. Certainly this question is also connected with arranging livelihood and considering the great necessity in our times—especially in Eretz HaKodesh—to utilize all teaching abilities found among those who are G‑d-fearing, and to use them fully. Therefore, in my opinion, he should continue striving and increase his involvement in teaching pure holiness. May it be His will that the saying of our Rebbe the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch—that through tzedakah (including spiritual tzedakah), one's mind and heart become refined a thousandfold—be fulfilled for him; so even if there is less time for personal Torah study, success and understanding will increase during that time.

I am surprised by what you wrote: that you taste from Chabad teachings but cannot bear the great light and have not merited to continue on the path of Chassidus. Surely you understand—even after brief contemplation—that what you write is impossible; for the Torah was not given to angels, and every part of Torah that is revealed becomes an obligation for anyone who knows about it to study it—since Torah study equals all mitzvos. The inner dimension of Torah called in Zohar HaKadosh "Nishmasa d'Oraita" (the soul of Torah) is also the soul and vitality of studying Nigleh (the revealed part) of Torah. As for writing that you have not merited this—it is not a matter of merit but as our Sages ruled: "If you did not toil and found—do not believe; if you did toil but did not find—also do not believe." It is understood that the leaven in the dough (the evil inclination) holds everyone back; it is almost certain this is also your reason here. In such matters it is said: "There shall be no strange god within you"—this refers to the yetzer hara (Shabbos 105b). May Hashem grant you success to share good news regarding all the above.

Blessings for a kosher and joyous Pesach holiday,

In the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita,
Secretary

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that at age 22 one should actively pursue both marriage and a career in teaching without delay. He emphasizes that access to Chassidus comes through effort rather than privilege, encouraging perseverance despite challenges from one's yetzer hara.