6380 —הדרכה על תפקידים חינוכיים בחב"ד, מנהגי בר מצוה, ושימוש במכשירים חשמליים ביו"ט

B"H, 9th of Tammuz, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Yitzchak Aizik Krasik

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 11th of Sivan, in which you write about your position in a vocational school, etc.: As long as this matter has not been arranged within the Chabad framework, there is no place for the question that was asked of me [regarding arranging such study within Chabad; I have already answered Haraha"ch HaVav HarA Shaul Wolf regarding his question on this]. Certainly you are using your teaching to instill fear of Heaven in your students, for all aspects of a person's life must be utilized to fulfill his purpose—'I was created to serve my Creator,' and it is a ruling in Shulchan Aruch: 'In all your ways know Him...'

Regarding what you wrote about your son Yehudah Leib: See Hayom Yom regarding our custom concerning donning tefillin and their blessings.

Regarding what you wrote about giving a derashah in Nigleh on the day of the Bar Mitzvah: In my opinion it is clear that one should prepare not only a maamar in Chassidus and say it but also something in Nigleh; whether to deliver also the Nigleh topic as a speech—here customs differ.

At an auspicious time all those you mention will be remembered at the holy resting place of my father-in-law the Rebbe zatzal for whatever they need according to the content of your letter.

As for your question whether it is permissible to use on Yom Tov an appliance with an electric heating plate—since this does not generate (a new flame) unlike regular electric light—you do not specify your question. Apparently you mean a cooking device that is not connected to the current, and the question is whether it is permitted on Yom Tov to connect it to the current and "turn it on." It is understood that this is forbidden.

Certainly preparations are being made properly for celebrating the Festival of Redemption—12th and 13th of Tammuz—and may it be G‑d's will that these days draw down blessings into all matters of Chabad throughout the coming year as well.

Blessings for good news.

Summary

The Rebbe guides educators to use every opportunity to instill Yiras Shamayim, clarifies Bar Mitzvah customs regarding tefillin and speeches, and rules against connecting electric appliances on Yom Tov. He encourages proper preparation for Yud-Beis–Yud-Gimmel Tammuz celebrations.