9392 —הדרכה אקדמאית, אמונה, ועקביות האמונה

B"H, 4th of Cheshvan, 5728.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from November 1st, in which you outline the main points of your life story and the current issues you face regarding your aspiration to advance your studies at a high academic level. In general, regarding the continuation of your studies, you should certainly consult with those who know your character traits and learning abilities and are knowledgeable in education. Since you write that you have been a student for some time at a teachers' seminary, you can surely consult with one of the administration members or teachers who know you. As is said: 'Salvation comes with much counsel.'

Regarding what you wrote about the fear that sometimes falls upon you, surely you know this is a common phenomenon during transitional years such as your age. It is advisable to consult with a specialist doctor in this field and follow his advice and instructions.

I will conclude with what you wrote at the beginning of your letter—that you are not religious but believe there is something above that directs nature's wonders and human life. It is unnecessary to emphasize the contradiction within this statement: someone who believes wholeheartedly that there is 'something,' and that this something is above and directs human life—how can it be that he would not be religious? Especially since we are speaking about someone who thinks deeply and strives for consistency in his life; meaning he tries to act according to his worldview's conclusions about life in general and his own life in particular.

There is no sense in saying both that there is something directing human life and at the same time that this 'something,' as you call it, has no interest whatsoever in how man behaves. Likewise, it makes no sense to say that the one directing human life never instructed man on how to behave but left him alone to grope for his path without any clear guidance or instruction. Is this what one would call life's direction? I wonder!

Since such faith immediately leads to the conclusion that certainly this directing 'something' gave guidance not only for life's details and their small events but also gave clear instruction regarding the main points and goals that should be central in human life—the believer must begin searching with utmost vigor and as soon as possible when such instruction was given.

It is obvious that such instruction does not need to come anew every day; it suffices if it came once clearly and openly before all—in the most public way possible—so then parents would tell their children about this instruction and command their children after them so they would pass it on as well from generation to generation until our own day.

It also stands to reason that this director would not give such primary instruction (at least for the first time) only to one person—since even if he were most exalted, being flesh and blood leaves room for doubt. Clear instruction means leaving no room for any doubt whatsoever. This compels us to say that (at least for the first time) the instruction was given—as described above—to many people of different types all at once and in identical form; included were also rules on how to behave regarding new matters arising later. This eliminates any possibility of doubt or uncertainty.

Anyone without preconceived irrational notions who searches through world history will find only one event matching all these conditions: an instruction given publicly all at once in identical form along with a command to transmit it through generations—and with guidance on how to draw conclusions about future matters—and this is solely the event of Mount Sinai.

I trust these few lines suffice considering the importance of the matter—especially since many books and essays elaborate on it; I hope you'll find them even in your teachers' seminary library—even if some students are currently not religious.

May it be G‑d's will—Who watches over each individual with Divine Providence—that you return to your source and root—the source and root of every member of our people Israel: sons of Avraham Yitzchak Yaakov, daughters of Sarah Rivkah Rachel Leah—and walk confidently on Torah's path: Torah of Life, eternal Torah—with daily conduct filled with joy and gladness of heart.

Blessings for good news regarding all mentioned above,
M. Schneersohn

It would be proper for him to have his tefillin checked so they are kosher according to halachah, and he should be careful about putting them on every weekday. When he provides the names (including their mothers' names) of all those he writes about, they will be mentioned at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, Admor zatzal.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages seeking wise counsel both academically and personally while highlighting faith's logical implications: belief in a higher power naturally leads one toward religious observance rooted in Sinai's revelation.