3663 —שמירה על סטנדרטים גבוהים בישיבת ליובאוויטש ולימוד נכון של חסידות

B"H, 23 Tammuz, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After your long silence, your letter from the 16th of Tammuz has arrived. Regarding what you wrote about the various prizes—for those who are diligent, for those who come to prayer, etc.—it is necessary to find out what is customary in other yeshivos. It is clear that care must be taken so that people do not say we have come from a stricter holiness to a lesser one; this also applies regarding vacation times in the yeshivah. In truth, even the concern that it should not be less than another yeshivah has no place, for ultimately it must be apparent that this is a chassidic yeshivah.

Regarding what you wrote that Peh B'Peh suggests you study Etz Chaim: although it is understood that one who studies this is learning the Torah of the living G‑d—the inner dimension of Torah—when these topics are studied in Chabad chassidic texts, they are understood properly and incorrect interpretations are rejected, unlike when one studies without such explanation; therefore caution is needed. This is similar to what you quoted in your letter from Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefillah chapter 2 in the name of the Baal Shem Tov (and with this your question is also answered—how to reconcile the Baal Shem Tov's words with what is explained elsewhere about the necessity to study chassidus). You should have explained all this to him in terms appropriate for him and made him understand well that since he engages in studying Zohar etc., he especially needs to learn Chabad teachings even more, as per the Baal Shem Tov's words above.

Regarding your comment on what is written in Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefillah chapter 7 concerning "Midat HaRachamim Aleinu Hitgalgeli" (Attribute of Mercy roll over us), it is surprising, for this has already been publicized in many places—including at the end of Kuntres 115 page 48 in a note there. In the books cited there you will find answers to your questions on this matter.

As for what you wrote about Perush HaSulam on Zohar: I have only seen it briefly for a few moments and obviously cannot form an opinion based on that. The book is not with me; as I hear, he has paved his own path in studying Etz Chaim and Zohar. For us, we have only the royal path of our leaders in chassidus.

Regarding your question about studying pnimiyus haTorah (the inner dimension of Torah): In Hilchos Talmud Torah by Admur at the beginning of chapter 2 it counts as part of one-third Talmud; and in Likkutei Torah Vayikra (5:3) as part of one-third Mikra (Scripture). This depends on which part of pnimiyus haTorah one studies—if it explains verses or if it involves analysis and understanding. Examine carefully and you will see distinctions between these laws as explained in Likkutei Torah, Rambam, and Shach (sources cited there). From this it follows that learning pnimiyus haTorah can also be like learning halachos pesukos (decided laws) from Mishnah and Talmud which are categorized as Yetzirah (one-third Mishnah). This clarifies what is written in Pri Etz Chaim Shaar Hanhagas HaLimud (84b) and elsewhere that Midrash and Aggadah are Yetzirah. Nevertheless, Likkutei Torah there writes that pnimiyus haTorah learned from "af asisav"—Mikra—is included mainly within Mikra. Just as Talmud belongs to Beriah even though its decided laws are Yetzirah—and this should be understood.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Lubavitch Yeshivah must maintain its high chassidic standards without concern for comparison to other institutions. He stresses careful study of Chabad texts for proper understanding and clarifies how inner Torah study fits within traditional learning divisions.