4319 —מגבית, הרחבת מספר התלמידים, וישיבת תומכי תמימים

B"H, 11 Iyar, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letters from 25 Shevat, 1, 4, 10, 16, and 18 Adar, 8, 9, and 27 Nissan, and 5 and 7 Iyar with their enclosures. The photos of the schools in Kfar Chabad and the maps have also been received in due time. Likewise, the letter on the sheets of the vocational school from 2 Adar was received.

In addition to what I wrote in my telegram: Regarding what you wrote about the fundraising campaign for the vocational and agricultural schools—it is correct to do so but in a way that avoids provoking the Arabs. There are several ways to publicize it that avoid this concern.

Regarding the fundraising campaign for the new building of Tomchei Temimim in Kfar Chabad—this too is correct. However, it is questionable whether there is room for two campaigns at once since it is doubtful if donors will double their contributions. In such cases, precedence should be given to the vocational and agricultural schools since this is a time-sensitive matter. As for the aforementioned building—even after some time passes you can still publicize that despite all events you decided to build another new building in Kfar Chabad etc.

This is only a general point; you should consider on site whether combining both campaigns will bring additional benefit—meaning simply in terms of total funds. As it says: "Salvation comes with many counselors."

For about two years now I have used every opportunity—directly or indirectly—to urge you about the utmost necessity to increase students—even simply in quantity. Unfortunately and to my regret this has not been heeded. Although I wrote that increasing student numbers would further increase income channels, you came to believe the opposite—that reducing student numbers would decrease the deficit or at least not increase expenses even if income decreases. Perhaps there are other reasons as well; but practically—the number of students has decreased.

It is clear that all reasons and excuses given—such as certain types are unsuitable or may cause harm—even if these excuses were valid—if only there had been effort to recruit students who even by your standards are suitable as required—the yeshiva would now have at least double its current number of students.

It is surprising that your letter ends with mention of great abandonment... yet you do not connect this at all with your own approach and conduct over time but attribute it to people who lack free choice—even though truly everyone—and especially Tomchei Temimim's administration—should first seek guidance in serving Hashem in every matter; only afterward interpret things according to worldly matters where kelipat nogah mostly prevails; thus all spiritual matters—and certainly directives in serving Hashem—are concealed as much as possible.

It is clear: If they were absolutely convinced regarding Tomchei Temimim students in Eretz HaKodesh (may it be rebuilt), just as their founders and directors—our holy Rebbeim—could provide for two hundred students (even though naturally this seemed impossible two years ago), they could also provide for four hundred or six hundred or even a thousand students—it would actually happen without exaggeration.

The "difference" would be that an additional eight hundred students would have a share and portion in the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbeinu HaZaken etc. By acting restrictively—with strictness—they deny them this possibility. Furthermore—this gives room for external restriction so that even among two hundred students there will be room for reduction.

It pains me to elaborate on such reversed logic because it seems obvious to me: If more students were added—the deficit would decrease accordingly; while to them it seems obvious that there must be a set number of students so it can be called a yeshiva but beyond that number one must restrict since each student requires monthly expenses—and why incur extra costs?

I write all this only to once again urge: The conduct of my revered father-in-law was—and remains—to expand his institutions as much as possible. As his holy talk regarding his institutions is known: "I was always a debtor but never G‑d forbid remained owing anyone."

I emphasize again: Let no one say these are merely words of encouragement not meant practically; my intention is literal: Over past years due to restrictive management hundreds of Jews were deprived G‑d forbid from learning Chassidus—and this concealment grew so much that even those who entered Tomchei Temimim's walls—a few left thereafter.

As explained at length in Chassidus—in many places—what results from gevurot d'kedushah (holy severity) etc.

May it be G‑d's will that immediately upon receiving this letter each person should throw himself into—in accordance with his role in yeshiva management—recruiting as many suitable students as possible while easing admission standards; then we can hope that even those who left Tomchei Temimim—for reasons they saw as valid—will recognize true truth just as yeshiva management itself will recognize true truth.

I repeat once more—all said here is entirely literal: Yeshivat Lod would now include several hundred more students than it currently does. But what can we do? Our Sages said: "We do not cry over what has passed." At least let us utilize upcoming days fully; then we can hope that by next term's start hundreds more students will join—and without exaggeration more than two hundred above previous numbers—as it says: "Test Me now with this."

Certainly you will write with necessary details regarding what was discussed here and in my previous telegram—and thank you very much.

Summary

The Rebbe urges prioritizing urgent needs when fundraising and emphasizes expanding student enrollment at Tomchei Temimim by easing admission standards. He teaches that growth brings blessing both spiritually and materially when approached with trust rather than restriction.