6043 - Founding and Securing a Sacred Educational Institution

The Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, Letter number 6043. Baruch Hashem, the 8th of Shevat, 5718, Brooklyn.

The Rebbe addresses this letter to his mechutan, a chossid, with the titles Moreinu Shneur Zalman Bespalov, in Prisco.

“Prisco” refers to San Francisco. The non-Jewish name was avoided in correspondence, so it was shortened to Prisco. Rabbi Shneur Zalman Bespalov assisted the Previous Rebbe in running Tomchei Temimim of Lubavitch and was also involved in founding yeshivos. Eventually, he established the Chabad shul in San Francisco, California. He was among the honored Chabad chassidim and one of the first students in the original Lubavitcher Yeshiva founded by the Rebbe Rashab.

He became the Rebbe’s mechutan through marriage to Chana, the daughter of Rabbi Chaim Itche Schneerson, the Rav of Ramen. He was later appointed as a close assistant to the Previous Rebbe and was deeply involved in strengthening the Rebbe’s leadership, including signing the hiskashrus. He is buried in Montefiore, near the Ohel.

It is noted in Rabbi Ushpa’s sefer that the Rebbe was initially unhappy that Rabbi Bespalov’s matzeivah was written in English and that it was black in color. Later, both matters were corrected.

The Rebbe writes: “Shalom u’Vrachah. I am responding to your letter from Monday, together with the enclosed pidyon nefesh, which I will read at an auspicious time at the holy tziyun of my father-in-law, the Rebbe.” In the letter, Rabbi Bespalov shares the good news of the establishment of a holy institution—essentially a yeshiva—located in the Beis Medrash Adas Israel.

The Rebbe notes that he has sent a separate letter to the activists involved, and adds that Rabbi Bespalov should explain further if they require clarification. This reflects how the Rebbe simultaneously addresses the spiritual vision and the practical administration of new institutions.

The Rebbe then connects the beginning to the end: from the original founding of the yeshivos by our holy Rebbeim. Beginning with the Alter Rebbe, and with even greater strength and self-sacrifice by the Rebbe Rashab in founding Tomchei Temimim, tremendous spiritual energies were invested despite great obstacles. These energies, the Rebbe explains, continue to operate in our generation—an orphaned generation—to expand Torah and strengthen it in ever-widening circles.

This is the meaning of hafatzas hamaayanos chutzah—spreading the wellsprings outward, specifically to the outside. Through this, we approach the fulfillment of chochmos bachutz taronah—that wisdom will sing in the streets. As explained in Chassidus (Torah Or, at its beginning), “chochmos” is plural, referring to both higher and lower wisdom (chochmah ila’ah and chochmah tata’ah), which will rejoice together, specifically in the outside.

The Rebbe further cites the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov that a soul descends into this world for seventy or eighty years in order to do a favor for another Jew, whether physically or spiritually. How much more so does this apply to holy education, which is eternal. Those who are educated go on to build generations—zera berach Hashem—for generations upon generations until the end of time.

The Rebbe concludes with a blessing for long life, good health, expanded clarity of mind, and continued good news from their holy work. He blesses them with abundant nachas from their descendants—measure for measure, and many times over.

The Rebbe then offers practical foresight. To prevent future disputes and avoid claims such as “the water belongs to us” (as in the dispute of the shepherds of Gerar), especially if other institutions later help fund the yeshiva, the Rebbe advises securing matters immediately.

He recommends formally naming the institution and suggests the name Oholei Yosef Yitzchak – Lubavitch, noting that branches already exist in Eretz Yisrael, Morocco, Australia, and elsewhere. He also advises creating a legal charter so the institution remains independent and protected. This is especially necessary so donations can be tax-deductible. The Rebbe suggests affiliating the charter with existing recognized organizations such as Machne Israel or Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, which already have tax-exempt status.

This letter beautifully demonstrates the Rebbe’s combination of lofty vision with precise practical guidance—ensuring both spiritual growth and structural stability.

It appears that the Rebbe later addressed the activists directly in Letter 6077, referenced here. As to what ultimately became of the institution, Adas Israel remains, but Oholei Yosef Yitzchak does not seem to exist today. It is possible the parties later separated, though further research would be needed to determine exactly what happened.