4368 —הגדלת ההשתתפות בשיעורי תורה וכוח הלימוד בקבוצה

B"H, 22 Iyar, 5716. Brooklyn.

Havavch iy"a nu"n etc. Naftali Rata

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter from the 16th of Iyar, in which you write about the details of your studies with the classes you influence. Surely you and your friends are striving to increase their numbers—I mean the number of participants in each class—for regarding this matter our Sages say: "A candle for one is a candle for a hundred." See Hilchos Talmud Torah by our Rebbe the Alter Rebbe, chapter 1, section 3 regarding the number of participants in a single class. When you strive in this, you will surely succeed, and the greatness of this matter needs no explanation. Fortunate are those who organize such classes and teach them as our Sages taught—especially in our holy land where "the eyes of Hashem your G‑d are upon it from the beginning of the year to its end."

Even so, this does not exempt one from personal study—both in Nigleh (revealed Torah) and Chassidus—as is obvious and clear. In particular, studying Chassidus brings vitality to all aspects of a person’s life and especially influences others. It is already known that the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, said that through giving tzedakah to another person one’s mind and heart become a thousand times more refined; when one learns his daily lesson he succeeds greatly.

Please share this with your colleagues who are engaged in such work. May it be G‑d’s will that each one will bring good news about the development of this project and increased participation.

With blessings for success,

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that increasing participation in Torah classes multiplies their impact on both teacher and students. Sharing Torah with others refines one's own character and brings greater blessing to all involved.