3881 —קבלת משרת משגיח בישיבה, והצדקה לזיכוך המוח והלב

B"H, 14 MarCheshvan, 5716

Brooklyn.

Greetings and blessing!

In response to your letter of the eve of Thursday, in which you set out the various reasons concerning the proposal that you accept the position of mashgiach at the yeshivah of...

Now, even if we grant that you are right in part of your explanation, that your nature is not suited to being a mashgiach because of your shyness, and that the students will feel close to you so that discipline will consequently decline, etc.,

all these matters are largely in your power to correct. And since in my opinion the time has come for you to begin looking into settling down and, in due course, family life, fortunate is your lot if you unite your material livelihood with your spiritual livelihood, that is, if your position is in the tent of Torah. Especially since the offer is at a yeshivah of תורה תמימה, "perfect Torah" (cf. Tehillim 19:8), the revealed and the hidden parts of the Torah, permeated with the fear of Heaven. Obviously this is no easy task or light matter; but other kinds of livelihood are not easy either in the time of exile, and on top of that they bring a number of trials that do not exist in this one. To elaborate on something so obvious is superfluous. Leave off the deliberating and the contemplating of matters that need no contemplation; you will then be able to use your power of analysis and contemplation where it is needed, namely in influencing the students. Regard yourself as the emissary of the founder and head of the yeshivah, my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of saintly memory, whose soul is in the hidden treasuries on high, may his merit protect us; all you need do is make your vessels fit to receive the influence and the success that are bestowed upon you.

It is understood that all of the above does not bear on the question of salary. You should find out how much others in such a position in their yeshivah receive, and you need not forgo anything in your own case, except during the first weeks, until you become accustomed to your work. As for what you write about the study you would be lacking, the word has already been spoken in Torah Or, at the beginning of Parshas Bereishis, by our Nasi, the Alter Rebbe: through tzedakah one's mind and heart become refined a thousand times over.

With blessing that you see the situation as it is, and accordingly decide, as above, for your good materially and spiritually alike, and may you have success.

P.S.

The note you handed me before your journey, I have read. Several of the matters you write about will be set right through your engaging in the holy work of drawing the hearts of the Jewish people close to our Father in Heaven, by kindling in them enthusiasm for the study of our Torah, the Torah of life, which of course includes the revealed part of the Torah as well. This will also ease and hasten the correction of the other matters, through working in the appropriate manner and in the appropriate matters.