8044 —מנהיגות, אחריות, והתמודדות עם אתגרים מוסדיים

B"H, 24 Shevat, 5715.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

[Supplement to letter G"Sh above, volume 10]

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

... What you wrote about PVP moving his residence from the village and living elsewhere due to the event—unfortunately—I believe this was a foolish act. This is clear from the copies of Igros Kodesh in my letter to the village committee two weeks ago. Complaints about the yeshivah... are increasing from time to time... and it seems that no attention is paid to the needs of the students, nor to attracting students from other yeshivot, and all matters are treated as "why should it be so" (except for financial matters and debts—the lenders are pressing. I have already written several times to various Anash institutions that in my opinion—in an institution of my father-in-law the Rebbe—the order is the opposite: one must first improve spiritual matters; this is a prerequisite for improving material conditions).

And truly it is no wonder, because when someone has no authority over him and everything depends on his goodwill, and he is endowed by Hashem with eloquence and explanatory ability—so he explains to others and describes absurd matters as if they are necessary. His punishment is measure for measure: even regarding himself, he lives in error. What he must do with effort in body and soul—he gets away with many excuses for why he is exempt, and therefore does not engage with the students. And even if sometimes he grabs onto a promise that he will work with certain students or meet with others etc., just as it happened overnight so too it disappears overnight etc.

But since a new matter excites him—as is human nature—when something new arises he immediately volunteers to meet with the student and guide him etc., but after a short time it ceases. With his power of explanation he rationalizes to himself and others the reasons for this; naturally everyone else is at fault but not himself. Even after it was printed in Hayom Yom years ago that the way to evaluate all these things is not by clothing or even by wearing a "sertok," but rather—the test is: if an activity or work has ceased, its cause is from the yetzer hara (evil inclination) and not vice versa (Hayom Yom for 23 Sivan). It can be seen even with physical eyes that he does not guide or meet etc., and results have been seen among the students; yet still people twist things around in conversation, delighting in clevernesses and explaining what PVP should do according to letters etc.

What will be the end result of such conduct? I admit without shame—I do not know. But the harm caused to the students... has been seen in past and present; hopefully at least things will improve in the future—or at least in coming months if not in coming weeks.

It goes without saying I do not want... Surely you saw my letter to Aguch before Yud Shevat. May it be Hashem's will that the elevation of the Baal HaHilulah—which begins from Shabbat before Yud Shevat especially from Yud Shevat onward—will affect us all...

Summary

This letter teaches that true leadership requires personal accountability, prioritizing spiritual growth before material concerns, and honest self-reflection rather than rationalizing failures or shifting blame onto others.