5542 —הדרכה להתמודדות עם נוער במצוקה

B"H, 25 Sivan, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter with the pidyon nefesh to be read at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory. In it, you write about... who is at a loss regarding how to conduct himself with him.

The advice of our Sages is already well known: "Three should be involved... the right hand draws close," especially regarding a child. In your specific case, you should consult a psychologist, since often—perhaps even in most cases—behavior such as you describe in your letter depends on nervous tension or similar factors, and frequently the doctor can help significantly.

In any case, as it appears from your description, expelling him from the home could God forbid worsen the situation rather than correct it. This is clear.

May it be Hashem's will that soon you will have good news in this matter. It is understood and obvious that as you and your family increase in matters of Torah and mitzvos in general, Hashem's blessing will increase overall and especially regarding your request here.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when dealing with troubled youth, one should seek professional guidance and avoid harsh measures like expulsion. Increasing Torah observance brings added blessing for the entire family and helps address challenges constructively.