4976 —דחיפות בשמירה על משמעת הישיבה

B"H, 25 Kislev, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It is very distressing that in the report I receive about what is happening in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, in the class in which you study—these yeshivas and all their branches are founded and directed by our holy Rebbeim—it is apparent among some students, including yourself, a lack of adherence to the yeshiva's schedule and time management in general, a lack of discipline, etc.

Aside from the pain over the matter itself—since time lost can never be regained—the issue of casting off responsibility is alarming. Even though it is well known that our Rebbeim invested tremendous effort—both emotional and personal—in these yeshivas, and since the foundation of every yeshiva is its students, it means that these efforts were invested within and for the students themselves. The mashpi'im (spiritual mentors), the ram (teachers), the rosh yeshiva (head of school), and the administration are merely intermediaries and channels to transmit these powers from their source to those who receive them—the students. Yet there is a student who disregards all this indifferently and spends his time on other matters.

The words of tzaddikim—the founders of the yeshiva—and their deeds endure forever and have an ongoing effect; but when the recipient turns away (G‑d forbid) and occupies himself with nonsense, it is difficult to elaborate on such an alarming matter. Especially since the issue of casting off responsibility has already been explained at the beginning of Sefer Derech Chaim—that anyone who hears (and as is known from my father-in-law, the Rebbe's emphasis on "the hearing") what is stated there will have his hair stand on end. For this reason I delayed writing about this until now.

However, I rely on these days of favor and auspiciousness—Chanukah—that no negative impression (G‑d forbid) will result from these words; rather they should have their intended effect: that at least from now on you will see the situation as it truly is. Observing the yeshiva's schedule, keeping time, discipline, accepting responsibility—none of this is doing anyone else a favor; it is your own true benefit both spiritually and materially in revealed good.

Do not delude yourself with excuses—that according to your intellect—which you consider superior—you can arrange your time better than according to the yeshiva's schedule; or that due to your great qualities you do not need to accept someone else's authority or discipline regarding others; or "why should I do what others think necessary if I don't need it." This is nothing but advice from the yetzer (evil inclination), one of its tricks to lead from casting off responsibility toward teachers or supervisors to an even worse form of disregard—as explained regarding these levels in Sefer Derech Chaim; see there.

May it be G‑d's will that in accordance with Chanukah's lesson—that one must decrease negative things and increase positive ones—so too here: as explained in Torah Or one should continually decrease matters of "the other side," which include those discussed in Tanya chapter 27, while increasing matters of holiness. Begin immediately with this conduct: decrease day by day in undesirable matters—especially those mentioned above—and increase in matters of light: "a mitzvah candle and Torah light," with "the luminary within Torah," meaning Chassidus—its guidance and customs.

May it be G‑d's will that all those who have caused distress until now will—as light surpasses darkness—through conduct transformed from one extreme to another bring abundant nachas (pleasure) and delight through their behavior and studies from now on. May Hashem grant them outstanding success in this.

Summary

The Rebbe stresses that strict adherence to yeshiva discipline benefits students spiritually and materially. Excuses for neglect are only tricks of the yetzer hara. He urges immediate improvement during Chanukah so shortcomings turn into lasting growth in Torah and Chassidus.