10353 —על מבצע כתיבת ספר תורה לילדים והימנעות מתנאים מפלגתיים

B"H, 16 Adar, 5732.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter in which you write about the campaign to write a Sefer Torah by Jewish children in the Diaspora in connection with a birthday reached me after some delay. After asking your forgiveness for what follows—which I am sure you will accept in the spirit in which it is written—certainly there is no need to explain the importance of writing a Sefer Torah in general, especially by Jewish children, and particularly in our times. It is also clear that this is the most elevated gift in connection with a birthday, etc.

But at the same time it is understood and simple that there is absolutely no place to tie this campaign to conditions whereby only someone who accepts a certain outlook or performs a certain action can participate—and all the more so regarding matters of party affiliation or similar. There is no difference regarding the importance or value of the party or worldview, etc., and therefore it does not matter at all whether they are accepted one hundred percent or ninety-nine percent or not at all. The principle here is that it is forbidden to connect with any side matter a campaign intended to instill love for our eternal Torah, which was given to every single Jew. As our Sages said, this is why at Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah) it was said in singular: Anochi Hashem Elokecha ("I am Hashem your G‑d"), Asher Hotzeiticha ("Who took you out"), Lo Yihiyeh Lecha ("You shall have no other").

Therefore, when I learned about this campaign and how it was being carried out—that it was announced at every opportunity as being operated by a certain department of a certain organization—my reaction was as above. But according to the well-known saying: "With advice one does not quarrel," especially since I only became aware of this after things had already begun, I took the approach of sitting back and not acting. However, since I received your letter about this matter, I am now obligated to express my response because I believe it relates both to the importance of the matter itself and also to honoring the person whom they wish to bring satisfaction—and even more—through this campaign.

Therefore I have written these lines. And let me add that my intention here is not to take away honor from those whose hearts moved them toward something good and who initiated this campaign—whether the initiative came from a party or department or an individual associated with such as a private person. My point is that although it would be permissible to announce and publicize that the initiative came from such-and-such organization or person, nevertheless, the actual campaign should be completely independent without any connection whatsoever—even with something most elevated.

I am aware of our Sages' saying: "One does not cry out over what has passed." Nevertheless, I write what I have said above because this is not meant as a protest over what has already happened—since there could be a similar situation in future—and also to clarify my position on this matter. As Scripture says: V'Heyitem Neki'im MeHashem U'MiYisrael ("And you shall be clean before Hashem and before Israel").

With honor and blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that campaigns intended to foster love for Torah among children must remain free from any partisan or ideological conditions; their inclusiveness preserves their true purpose and sanctity.