3411 —תלמיד צריך להישאר בישיבתו באוסטרליה כדי לחזקה

B"H, 3rd day of Chol HaMoed Pesach, 5715. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

... Regarding what you wrote about the Avrech Shmuel sheyichyeh Guravitch and the reasons for his trip here, it is somewhat surprising—since it is evident that where they are, there is a yeshiva with tremendous potential, and this is a mitzvah that cannot be done by others. The proof is that others are not doing it, and even among Anash the necessary activities are not being carried out fully, neither in quantity nor quality (even though certainly difficult times are one reason for this, but there are also other reasons involved). Therefore, it is understood from all this that at the very least those who have merited this and succeeded in taking part in this holy work must be encouraged, strengthened, and assisted in every possible way. Instead of this, he explains in his letter how it would be good and proper for the above-mentioned to leave his beautiful portion which Divine Providence has helped him succeed in strengthening and developing the yeshiva and to seek "great and wondrous things" overseas, etc., etc.

And regarding what you wrote about what would be the ultimate purpose since he could gain more knowledge in Chassidus etc.—even if it were true that he could only achieve this by traveling overseas—I still doubt (and it is a doubt close to certainty) what is truly better even for him: to fulfill the mission of Divine Providence by working at Yeshivas Oholei Yosef Yitzchak or to become more proficient and knowledgeable in Nigleh and Chassidus than he currently is.

Especially since as the Alter Rebbe writes at the beginning of Torah Or that through tzedakah (which includes spiritual tzedakah) one's mind and heart become refined a thousandfold; thus one hour of study in Australia—whether in Nigleh or Chassidus—together with involvement in these activities will succeed as much as a thousand hours of study elsewhere where such involvement does not exist. In particular detail—I have not yet received information that the Avrechim and students in Australia are utilizing all their free time for Torah study and avodah shebalev (service of the heart), i.e., prayer. Since there is room to increase their efforts locally now, why should he diminish his activities at the yeshiva and thereby lessen his own success? The lengthiness on such an obvious matter is unnecessary...

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that one's unique role where they are needed most cannot be replaced by seeking personal growth elsewhere. True success comes from fulfilling one's mission where Divine Providence has placed them.