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Question:
Did the Rebbe ever give a directive for girls out of high school to go to one year of seminary and study to become a teacher? My friends are all telling me that the Rebbe said one must attend seminary after high school for one year and learn to become a teacher. While I do plan to go to seminary, it is for me to learn Torah and gain the experience. Is this true?
Answer:
While I think we can all agree that in general going to seminary follows the spirit of the Rebbe’s will and desire, I am not aware of any documented response, even after thorough research, from the Rebbe—neither in Igros Kodesh nor in recorded talks—explicitly directing all girls to attend seminary after high school. Most certainly, I am not aware of any directive for it to be specifically for one year and specifically in the field of education to become a teacher. I have also not received any sources for this statement from directors of Chabad seminaries whom I have contacted and who likewise are unaware of such directives. However, what is true is that the Rebbe discouraged [but did not prohibit] girls from going straight to work before marriage, as such breaks could lead to a lowering of religious standards when they are not in a religious environment. With that said it would be within the spirit of the Rebbes vision for girls to continue in a Torah study environment until they get married, and independently, everyone should agree with the necessity of doing so to prevent a demotion in spiritual stature. However, this would apply even after the so-called one year of seminary.
Now, we do find letters in which the Rebbe encourages certain girls to study in Beis Rivkah seminary and other Chabad institutions. However, these were specific cases and not a universal directive for all girls to attend seminary. There is no evidence of an explicit instruction requiring every girl to go to seminary, nor any indication of a requirement for a particular type of seminary.
While I am fully aware that many believe wholeheartedly that the Rebbe said such a thing, practically there is no documentation to support this claim.
Why do so many girls believe the Rebbe said this?
There are several reasons why this belief became widespread:
- The Rebbe’s concern for continuity: The Rebbe strongly emphasized that girls should not have a gap after high school without a structured schedule or curriculum, as this could lead to spiritual decline.
- Promotion of Torah study for women: The Rebbe was very supportive of girls learning Torah and deepening their knowledge.
- Encouragement of shlichus (outreach): The Rebbe greatly promoted the idea of people dedicating themselves to shlichus, and seminary was often seen as a stepping stone toward that goal.
These factors have likely influenced the widespread belief that the Rebbe required seminary attendance, despite the absence of any explicit directive. It is common for individuals to make assertions based on their interpretations of situations, which may subsequently be misunderstood or misrepresented and circulate as fact. Such misconceptions often persist until someone seeks verification and examines the sources, at which point these inaccurate claims are effectively refuted.
Whatever the case, it is unequivocally forbidden to attribute statements to the Rebbe that he did not make, as doing so establishes a dangerous precedent. The Rebbe’s words carry immense weight among his devoted followers, who strive to adhere to his directives with unwavering commitment. Fabricating statements in his name misleads these individuals and compromises their ability to make informed, authentic decisions. Beyond this, such fabrications undermine trust in genuine sources, distort the Rebbe’s nuanced and individualized approach, and foster a culture where hearsay replaces documented truth. They create unnecessary pressure and guilt for those unable to comply, weaken personal responsibility by encouraging superficial adherence rather than internalized conviction, and can sow division amongst peers through judgment and labeling. Girls who cannot attend seminary for valid reasons may feel they are violating a “directive,” leading to guilt, shame, or feelings of inadequacy—despite the fact that no such directive exists. Ultimately, these misconceptions risk long-term disillusionment when people discover that widely accepted “directives” were never issued, thereby damaging the integrity of the Rebbe’s legacy and the spiritual health of the individual.
This is not G-d forbid to suggest opposition to seminary; on the contrary, in most cases, it is an invaluable experience. However, the motivation for attending should stem from a sincere desire to grow in Torah knowledge and Hasidic conduct, and to benefit from the unique environment of learning and spiritual development that seminary offers—not from an undocumented and likely false claim attributed to the Rebbe that everyone must attend for one year and specifically learn how to become a teacher. Attending solely due to peer pressure or communal expectation can result in misguided intentions and prevent individuals from fully appreciating the purpose of their studies. Furthermore, there are circumstances where attending seminary may not be the most appropriate choice, such as when a suitable shidduch has already arisen or when remaining at home and engaging in local learning opportunities would be more beneficial. Decisions of this nature should be made thoughtfully and truthfully, guided by authentic principles rather than fabricated narratives.
All in all, while we can all agree that it is within the Rebbes spirit and vision for girls to attend seminary after high school and we should encourage them to be involved in Torah learning up until they get married, it is not helpful and not truthful to make statements of this sort as if the Rebbe obligated and directed girls to do so for one year, and that it is specifically in the field of learning to be a teacher.
Sources:
See regarding girls working before they get married: Toras Menachem 5743 4:1869; Shulchan Menachem 6:69
See regarding attending seminary after high school: Shaareiy Chinuch [Heichal Menachem] in which no such mention is made; חב”ד | התקשרות 655 | סמינר בית-רבקה וכפר-חב”ד ב’ [No mention is made, and on the contrary see there that the seminary Beis Rivkah is not to be a continuation of high school but a seminary for training teachers]
