3436 —עידוד לייסוד ישיבה, התגברות על קשיים ראשוניים

B"H, 3 Iyar, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n engaged in tzt"z Moreinu HaRav Yosef Flyer

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Erev Shabbat Kodesh at the end of the month known for miracles and the beginning of the month of Ziv, in which the luminaries of the world were born. I was pleased to read that you have approached your sacred work in the field of kosher education and also in the district of Chicago anew.

May it be G‑d's will that you not be affected—according to our Sages' saying "all beginnings are difficult"—by the usual challenges in such matters. On the contrary, this should arouse within you additional strength and reveal hidden abilities. As is also known from recent discoveries in medical science: in order for the body to withstand severe illnesses (G‑d forbid), they inject it with a slight example of such an illness; thereby, the body creates weapons and defenses against that illness so it will not enter its boundaries at all. This is called vaccination (Vaccination). Similarly is it with healing of the soul. As is known from the great teacher our master Rambam in his Shemoneh Perakim about the similarity between healing of soul and body: through a slight imagined concealment, the soul creates weapons and defenses that nullify true concealments and obstacles.

May you succeed in your above-mentioned work to sow and plant even in that quarter of the city where you are preparing to establish a kosher educational institution. May you influence those being educated with love of Hashem, love of Torah, and love of Israel. It is already known that even regarding our days applies what is said: "Echad hayah Avraham veyirash zar'o et kol haaretz" (Abraham was one and his seed inherited all the land)—and his seed refers not only to sons in later generations but also to his sowing and results of his actions.

Certainly you know our Rebbeim's saying: "Vi men shtelt zich avek azoi geit es" (As one positions oneself so things go). Therefore, acquire a suitable plot for building expansively, and let the building itself be constructed accordingly—as Scripture precisely says: "Harchav picha va'amaleihu" (Open your mouth wide and I will fill it).

Blessings as per the saying of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal: For a healthy summer for him and his wife may they live.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that initial challenges are opportunities for growth—just as vaccinations strengthen physical health by confronting minor adversity, so too do spiritual difficulties reveal hidden strengths. Perseverance leads to lasting impact in education and community building.