8041 —תמיכה לישיבה, חדשות הוצאה לאור, ומשמעות חג החגים

B"H, 19 Teves 5715.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n Baal Mertz Ish Rav Pealim Moreinu HaRav Nechemya Malin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your prompt letter from the 18th of Teves, as well as the one before it. I also received the book Toldos Adam that you published; thank you for the gift.

Regarding what you wrote in your last letter: The meeting of Vaad HaMeuchad took place a few days ago, and with effort, your advocacy succeeded in allocating for your yeshiva—according to the current situation—a sum of one thousand shekel. Understand that this information is from behind the curtain; therefore I am unsure if it is worthwhile to publicize that you already know about this, especially in light of the words of the Mishnah (Sanhedrin ch.3 m.7) "U'minayin [l']kesheyetzeh..." (And from where do we know [regarding] when he leaves...). Rather, to calm your spirit I am informing you about this.

After all this, I am somewhat surprised at you—for it is said "Azov Ta'azov Imo" (You shall surely help him), and as appears from the discussion at that meeting mentioned above, there was no effort on your part. In any case, may it be G‑d's will that this support be used to increase Torah and glorify it, so that your students fulfill our Mishnah's instruction: their fear of sin should precede their wisdom and their deeds should exceed their wisdom—and may you see good fruit from your labor.

Regarding your comment/question—what is the basis and meaning of the title for the bright day of 19 Kislev "Chag HaChagim" (Festival of Festivals)... It happened that I read your article in HaPardes for Teves 5715; see also Tzafnas Paneach by the Gaon Rogatchover on Rambam Hilchos Sefer Torah and Hilchos Megillah, where—as is his way—he explains several matters (including those touched upon in your article) with wondrous insights. What you noted regarding what is written in Sefer Kador Katan—that it refers to Rabbeinu HaZaken—is correct. The basis for those who distort what is written there is unclear. By the way: Kador Katan is the name of the introduction to Sefer Et Ledaber. Regarding Rabbeinu HaZaken: see inside that book in glosses to Shaar Orah section Vav.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages transparency balanced with discretion regarding communal support and stresses using such support to further Torah study with proper priorities. He also values scholarly inquiry into traditions like "Chag HaChagim," urging careful attention to sources and accuracy.