5872 —השראת צמיחה בהפצת המעיינות והכנה לי"ט כסלו

B"H, 26 Marcheshvan, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n his work is the work of Heaven Shmuel Elazar Halperin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your two letters, in which you write at length about your activities in the most elevated matter of hafatzas hamaayanos chutzah (spreading the wellsprings outward), in addition to your efforts at Yeshivas Toras Emes. May it be G‑d's will that you continue to increase in all these matters with holiness, as is known: "ma'alin bakodesh" (we ascend in holiness). And since there are various levels even within this, may it be to the greatest degree possible. As is known from our Sages and Rabbis—not only should one act, but one's actions should be as they ought to be; and the very demand itself proves that one has been given the ability to fulfill it, and all that is needed is will.

We are now approaching the month of Kislev, which is the month of redemption—and redemption for all those who have merited to taste from Chassidus and its teachings. As is well known from our holy Rebbeim's saying that Yud Tes Kislev is Rosh Hashanah for learning Chassidus and its ways. The Alter Rebbe and his son, the Mitteler Rebbe, explained precisely why it is called "rosh" (head) rather than "beginning," since the head contains the vitality for all parts of the body; so too Rosh Hashanah includes within it all days of the year, and the days preceding it are days of preparation upon which everything depends. As our Sages taught: even an opening as small as a needle's eye opens into a great hall—a hall specifically—which not only is large but always remains open because it has no doors to close it.

Blessings for good news in all above-mentioned matters, M. Schneersohn

Regarding your question about the custom for interrupting a chassan or similar during recitation of Chiddushei Torah or a maamar (and perhaps originally this was so as not to embarrass someone who had nothing prepared): It is known that my father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, answered regarding such cases that after reciting the entire maamar he should begin again, and then they may interrupt him.

Regarding what you wrote about when to begin chinuch (education)—see Hilchos Talmud Torah by Admur Hazaken (1:6), who rules from age sixteen until twenty-four!

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that spiritual growth must be ongoing and ever-increasing. Even a small step toward holiness opens vast opportunities for advancement. Preparation for Yud Tes Kislev empowers us to spread Chassidus with renewed strength and dedication.