Balancing Teaching and Spreading Chassidus

Holy Letters of the Rebbe – Volume 15, Letter 5417
Baruch Hashem, the first day of Iyar, 5717, Brooklyn. Shalom u’Vracha.

The Rebbe writes in response to his report regarding his activities in spreading the wellsprings outward. The Rebbe offers him a yasher koach and blesses him with the words, Yasher cheilecha—may your strength remain firm and successful—that he should continue to occupy himself in this holy work. The Rebbe emphasizes that this is one of the great needs and necessities of the present time, especially in the Holy Land.

The writer had expressed a desire to add even more activities in his community. As a teacher in a school, he wished to increase his efforts there as well. The Rebbe responds that this is certainly proper and praiseworthy. However, it must not come at the expense of his teaching responsibilities. These added activities should not interfere with the learning of the students in his class, nor with the proper preparation of lessons and all related duties.

The Rebbe notes that this is clearly understood from the laws of Talmud Torah, as the Alter Rebbe writes at the conclusion of the first chapter. A teacher of children must be properly rested, mentally prepared, focused, and fully dedicated to his sacred task. Teaching is holy work and must be carried out faithfully and truthfully. A teacher must give his full attention and sincere effort.

At the same time, the Rebbe adds that based on the promise of our sages that Hashem repays measure for measure—and with far greater generosity than the original effort—when a person teaches, gives, and spreads holiness to others, Hashem grants him growth and increase in his own spiritual life as well.

The Rebbe then addresses the matter of keeping a Talmud, a Shas, in his home. The Rebbe says this is entirely proper. He appears to have wondered whether there was any value in having it there if he was not actively studying from it. The Rebbe responds that the very question is surprising. On the contrary, having the Talmud in the home may itself inspire him to open it, study from it, and become more deeply connected to Torah learning.

The Rebbe continues that despite all of his many responsibilities—his classes, his outreach, and all his other activities—surely he is also participating in the annual Chalukas HaShas, the division of the Talmud among many participants so that together the entire Shas is completed each year.

The Rebbe notes what is explained elsewhere: when many people participate together, each taking one section, it is considered as though every participant has completed the entire Shas. Although each individual learns only one portion, because all are united in a shared undertaking, each partakes in the completion of the whole.

The Rebbe further expresses the hope that he utilized the days of Pesach properly in general, and especially in the holy work mentioned above. The Rebbe also hopes that he is preparing for and participating in the various gatherings and conventions (kinnusim).

The Rebbe concludes with a blessing that the blessed Hashem grant him the ability to share good news in all these matters, and blesses him with proper health and with good news in everything discussed above.