6762 —הדרכה לאברך נפתלי הכהן על הוראה, מנהגים ועניני קהילה

B"H, 12 Adar Sheni, 5719. Brooklyn.

The Avrech vavac"h iy"a energetic and very active Naftali sheyichyeh HaKohen.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Thank you very much for your letter from the 5th of Adar Sheni with the good news about the development of the evening yeshivah and reports from the farbrengens and gatherings in recent weeks. May it be G‑d's will that you continue to share good news in an increasing manner—adding light in these areas and in all other activities of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Jerusalem the holy city, among Tzeirei Agudas Chabad and Anash throughout the entire Holy Land.

Regarding your questions:

a) It is understood that one should teach students topics that are sufficiently relevant. Since the laws of Torah study are currently sufficient, you should teach this law—especially since learning specifically this section of Shulchan Aruch by the Alter Rebbe is rare.

b) For students before bar mitzvah age, there is room to regularly teach them the easiest Chassidic discourses—but not younger than "mufla samuch le'ish" (one approaching maturity).

c) Our custom is that at the verse "Poseach es Yadecha..." (You open Your hand...), we touch first the hand tefillin and then the head tefillin; some have the custom to touch via the straps of the tefillin and kiss them.

d) Regarding putting on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin—look into Shaar HaKolel; as for when to begin (the age), it depends on one's feeling.

e) Regarding reciting Shema on Motzaei Shabbat—see Hayom Yom; besides this I have not heard any instructions.

f) Studying chapters of Mishnayos and reciting Kaddish D'Rabbanan after every prayer pertains to elevating the soul; therefore it applies even when the mourner is below bar mitzvah age.

g) The time for putting on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin before bar mitzvah is similar to doing so after reaching mitzvah age—that is, throughout the entire prayer service.

h) Regarding Lag BaOmer and the bonfire custom practiced in Jerusalem—it is difficult to rule from afar about a custom established in a city, especially Jerusalem. It is well known how careful one must be with Jewish customs; therefore Anash in Jerusalem should discuss this among themselves...

Regarding duchaning (priestly blessing) during Ne'ilah in Eretz Yisrael among Anash—it is understood that this should be clarified with them...

I must point out that I am not pleased with young students regularly studying all night, as appears from your letter; this practice suits older individuals provided it does not harm their health etc., as is also evident from Hilchos Talmud Torah by our Rebbe at the end of chapter one.

yud-dalet) Regarding what you wrote about debts: certainly from a special fundraising campaign as an exception they will help with an amount appropriate to their ability—but obviously it is impossible to establish ongoing support for this purpose since the campaign is already so burdened by debts.

tet-vav) Concerning opening a bank account under the name of Yeshivas Erev Chabad—you should first consult with Anash activists in Jerusalem regarding their perspective on this matter; after all, concerning all such matters it says: "Salvation comes through many counselors."

tet-zayin) As for traveling here—there is room to consider coming at the end of Elul so you can be here for all of Tishrei and immediately afterward return to Jerusalem and your holy work. This consideration applies only if your general or personal holy work will not suffer as a result.

Blessings for a joyous Purim and for sharing good news in detail.

Summary

The Rebbe offers detailed guidance on teaching Torah subjects appropriately by age, maintaining community customs with care, consulting local leadership before decisions, balancing spiritual pursuits with health considerations, and acting responsibly regarding financial matters—all while encouraging continued growth in holiness.