4979 —השפעת ההתוועדות ותזמון התספורת לילד

B"H, 26 Kislev, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Zev Wolf Zalmanov

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Motzaei Shabbat Kodesh, the Festival of Redemption, I am surprised you did not mention the farbrengen and words of inspiration that were surely heard and certainly led to good resolutions regarding actual deeds in Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness.

Regarding what you wrote about your son Yisrael's third birthday, which falls on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, and your initial thought to do the upsherin on Lag BaOmer: I have already expressed my opinion to several of Anash that unless there is a strong reason—such as a very established custom—it seems to me not to delay the haircutting, especially not for several months or even weeks. My reasoning is that since it appears from the language of my revered father-in-law regarding the upsherin celebration that it is an aspect of education in fear of Heaven (that is, drawing down holiness upon the child's soul—perhaps based on our Sages' teaching in Tanchuma Parshas Kedoshim—and see also Hilchos Talmud Torah by Rabbeinu HaZaken at its beginning where this is alluded to in the Written Torah: "And in the fourth year it shall be... holy"). When one acts upon this, it strengthens the matter and draws it into the world of action as explained elsewhere. So why delay drawing down this holiness for several months or even weeks? Every increase in holiness in education adds to all aspects of the child—even materially.

May Hashem grant you success so that together with your wife you will raise all your children healthy and whole for Torah, marriage, and good deeds.

Blessings for an illuminating and ever-increasing Chanukah.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that inspiration from farbrengens should lead to concrete actions. He advises not to delay a child's upsherin without strong reason, as early exposure to holiness strengthens both spiritual and material aspects of a child's upbringing.