5531 —תפקיד ההנהלה והמחנכים בהבטחת טובת התלמידים

B"H, 19 Sivan, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from Monday, in which you write about matters regarding Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim D... Certainly to your honor, but it is unnecessary to explain that the issue of not hearing one side's arguments is not a Torah decree but a logical matter. It is understood that even here this logic and reasoning apply, especially since there are two main points. A) There are meetings of the hanhalah of Tomchei Temimim, and as appears from your letter, in those meetings where these matters were discussed, you also participated. That was the time to raise the details you mention in your letter. Even if at that time you did not think of the difficulties that would arise (you did not anticipate them), still, the principle that "the mouth that forbade is the mouth that permits" is logical; there is always an opportunity to raise issues at subsequent meetings and discuss them with all members of hanhalah present. Also, "salvation comes through many counselors" is logical—especially in such questions.

B) The main point follows—not only from your letter but also from what others in the hanhalah write—it is clear and simple that the purpose and primary goal of every yeshivah is the welfare of its students. The mashpi'im (spiritual mentors), roshei yeshivah (heads), and hanhalah are merely means through which this welfare comes to fruition. Therefore, it is also simply understood that any difficulty in yeshivah must first be considered with regard to this main goal—the welfare of the students—and whatever their welfare requires... It follows that mashpi'im and roshei yeshivah must strive as needed and set aside personal interests for the sake of student welfare. Only then do they fulfill their role faithfully; moreover, precisely in this way their own standing grows—since mashpi'im and roshei yeshivah are elevated as the yeshivah grows. As quality and quantity increase in yeshivah and student benefit increases, so too does the stature and reality of mashpi'im and roshei yeshivah increase—not only spiritually or abstractly but also materially and naturally as cause and effect.

All of the above applies to every mashpia, rosh yeshivah, and member of hanhalah. Since there isn't time to debate with each individually, you have both permission and merit to share my perspective on these discussions—expressed delicately—with all mentioned above.

May it be Hashem's will that these words come from the heart and thus enter into the heart of those who hear them, affecting them—as my revered father-in-law (the Rebbe Rashab) wrote regarding saying a maamar—that they should affect both me and those who hear them. That suffices.

With blessings for success in your holy work to raise students who live up to their name Temimim with true broad-mindedness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that educators must always put student welfare first; true leadership means prioritizing students' needs over personal interests. Open dialogue among staff ensures wise decisions for everyone’s benefit.