7162 —אודות פרסום קובץ פלפול התלמידים וחשיבות לימוד החסידות

B"H, 20 Tevet, 5720. Brooklyn.

The administration of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Lod, may Hashem be upon them for life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter and your question: I will repeat once again that it is clear and obvious that it is very distressing that for many months now I have raised the matter of a student pilpul journal, and until now it has not come to fruition.

b) It is also clear and obvious that if the name Tomchei Temimim is applied to the yeshiva—as explained at length in Kuntres Etz HaChayim, and as is well known to be the desire of our Rebbeim, founders and directors of the yeshiva—then study of Chassidus is essential, specifically with true understanding and comprehension, not in the manner of "Chagat chassidim." It follows that students who have been in such a yeshiva for one or two years or more should have understanding and comprehension in some areas of Chassidus, such that they can convey orally or in writing what they understand in these topics. Since there are many sources—books, pamphlets, and essays—available, certainly after one or two years or more of study they are able to indicate where a certain topic is discussed in one place and also found elsewhere [and surely by referencing another place the explanation and understanding are enhanced]. And since indexes for Tanya Kadisha, Torah Or, and Likkutei Torah have been published, this can be done without excessive difficulty—even without proper effort. Therefore it remains unclear what the real reason is that until now this journal has not materialized; according to your letter, the obstacle lies in the area related to Chassidus.

c) The wonder grows even more because among several students from Lod who came here [to New York], immediately upon their arrival it was clear they were capable of writing explanations as described above. Surely they did not acquire this ability during their journey from Lod to here.

d) Perhaps there are those who object altogether to what seems like an innovation in these matters because 150 years ago such things were not practiced. There are two answers: (a) Anyone who saw issues of "HaTamim" published in Warsaw by my father-in-law the Rebbe will see there was also such a section. (b) It is known how to evaluate such matters—where objections come from—as explained in Hayom Yom (23 Sivan). That is: look at practical results. In reality we see that those students involved in this gained extra vitality at least regarding study of these subjects; moreover, they influenced several friends as well. These topics became known even to those previously unaware. Writing forced deeper analysis and understanding. From an affirmative you hear a negative: meaning when you explain to students there is no place for writing about these topics or for innovation or proper explanation etc., you clearly see negative results from this approach.

e) Perhaps some fear that by writing such essays their self-worth will increase. (Besides being unclear—since even writing on nigleh could raise such concerns—the same worry exists if students are required to repeat essays publicly or campaign for learning Chassidus or explain its necessity in their own words etc.) Even though it is clear that withholding writing diminishes spreading the wellsprings outward—outward within oneself, one's immediate surroundings, and further out—which each of us was commanded by the Baal Shem Tov's Iggeres HaKodesh (and especially by our Rebbeim), surely your administration knows all this as well.

Blessings,
On behalf of the Rebbe Shlita,
A. Kvint
Secretary

P.S.: Your letters from 11th–13th Tevet with their enclosures as well as previous ones were received. See above Igros vol. 18 letter #6863 and references there; also see below letter #7723.

Summary

The Rebbe urges active engagement with Chassidus through writing and sharing insights, explaining that doing so strengthens both personal understanding and communal inspiration while addressing concerns about innovation or self-importance.