ב"ה, ט"ו אלול, תשט"ו
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
... לפלא שאינו מזכיר במכתבו אף מלה בנוגע להתחלת זמן הלימודים כמות ואיכות התלמידים לזמן לימודים זה וכו' שהרי סוכ"ס זהו התוכן הפנימי והעיקרי של ישיבה, וכבר ידוע מרז"ל אשר מה צבי כו' (סוף כתובות קיב, א) שהעור כווץ וגומד לאחר הפשטו, שמזה מובן שכל שמגדלים בפנימית מתגדל ומתפשט העור והחיצוניות היינו בכל הענינים אודותם כותבים במכתבם.
בברכה לבשו"ט ולהצלחה בעבודתם הק' מתוך שמחה ולכתיבה ולחתימה טובה המחכה לבשו"ט.
Translation:
"B"H, 15th of Elul, 5725
Brooklyn.
Shalom uBracha!
...It is astonishing that he does not mention even a word in his letter regarding the start of the study period, such as the quantity and quality of students for this study period and so forth. After all, this is essentially the core and internal content of a yeshiva. It is already known from our sages in what is said about the deer (end of Ketubot 112a), that 'the skin shrinks and contracts after it is removed,' from which it is understood that as the inner content grows, so does the skin and the externalities expand, i.e., in all matters about which they write in their letters.
With blessing for a good and sweet year and success in their holy work with joy, and for a good inscription and sealing awaiting a good and sweet year."
B"H, 15th of Elul, 5715.
Brooklyn.
Shalom u'Vrachah!
It is astonishing that you do not mention even a word in your letter regarding the start of the study period—the quantity and quality of students for this study period, etc.—since ultimately this is the core and essential content of a yeshiva. It is already known from our sages in what is said about the deer (end of Ketubot 112a), that 'the skin shrinks and contracts after it is removed,' from which it is understood that as the inner content grows, so does the skin and externalities expand; that is, in all matters about which you write in your letters.
With blessing for good news and success in your holy work with joy, and for a good inscription and sealing, awaiting good news.
Summary
The Rebbe teaches that reporting on both the quantity and quality of students is vital to a yeshiva's mission. The growth of internal content leads to expanded external impact; attention to these details reflects true progress.