📄 From a Letter of the Rebbe: Prioritizing Good Midos over Secondary Matters of Chassidishkite

From a Letter of the Rebbe: Redirecting the Focus of Chinuch – Prioritizing Character and Good Midos over Secondary Debates such as speaking Yiddish[1]

Parents must prioritize moral refinement and yiras Shamayim over secondary educational disputes or external concerns. Torah education is incomplete if it produces technically observant children who lack discipline, respect, or consideration for others. The following letter of the Rebbe is a great reminder of this matter:

 

In Kfar Chabad, a heated and prolonged debate arose between parents and school leadership regarding the language of instruction in the school—whether the children should be taught primarily in Yiddish or in Hebrew. The discussion became increasingly divisive, with both sides arguing passionately for their position, until the disagreement escalated into a major machloket within the community.

In response, the Rebbe addressed the issue in a powerful and memorable letter to the Va’ad and the parent body. At first, the Rebbe carefully acknowledged and analyzed the arguments presented by both sides, demonstrating sensitivity to the concerns and intentions behind each viewpoint. However, after addressing the merits of the debate, the Rebbe shifted the focus entirely.

The Rebbe concluded with a timely and penetrating message, pointing out that, although the question of language had stirred considerable emotion and energy, it appeared that these efforts were being invested in the wrong area of chinuch. The true and most urgent issue confronting the community, the Rebbe emphasized, was not linguistic preference, but the moral and spiritual conduct of the children—their behavior, discipline, respect, and refinement of character.

Through this letter, the Rebbe redirected the community’s attention away from secondary concerns and toward the essential foundation of Jewish education, urging parents and school leadership alike to prioritize genuine chinuch that molds character and instills fear of Heaven alongside Torah learning.

 

A Letter from the Rebbe[2]

To the Va’ad of the School and to the Parent Body of Kfar Chabad
At the conclusion of this letter, I feel compelled to address a matter that is most astonishing—namely, that an issue which is of primary and fundamental importance with regard to the students of the Talmud Torah has not been mentioned at all.

From several directions, I have received troubling reports concerning the conduct of the students of the Talmud Torah, particularly on sacred days—Shabbat and Yom Tov—as well as on the eves of Shabbat and Yom Tov. Similar reports have reached me regarding their behavior in the synagogue, not only on weekdays but even during the holy times themselves.

Although part of the responsibility certainly rests upon the teachers and educators of the Talmud Torah—for education according to Torah does not pertain only to study within the walls of the classroom, but extends to behavior beyond it, particularly in holy places such as synagogues and batei midrash—nevertheless, a most significant portion of the responsibility, and perhaps the primary responsibility, rests upon the parents, both the father and the mother.

It is incumbent upon parents to instill in their children refined character traits through every means at their disposal. Even if parents are burdened and occupied with many matters, this obligation remains among their foremost duties. If this responsibility applies during the regular days of study, it applies all the more so on Friday afternoons after midday, and on Shabbat and Yom Tov themselves. At those times, the primary responsibility unquestionably rests with the parents, for every moment then must be utilized for matters of Torah and fear of Heaven.

I therefore strongly hope that the enthusiasm and energy that have been aroused concerning the question of the language of instruction—whether Yiddish or Hebrew—which in practical terms relates only to the period near the beginning of the school year, will now certainly be harnessed, and to the greatest possible degree, toward guiding the students in proper character development and in matters of fear of Heaven. These are areas that do not fall exclusively under the formal curriculum of the Talmud Torah, such as the proper recitation of blessings, prayer as required, honoring parents, teachers, and elders, and proper and respectful conduct between one person and another.

These matters are especially significant at this time of the year, the days of the Omer, which are uniquely designated for strengthening the practice of showing respect for one another.

Accordingly, immediately upon receipt of this letter, I expect that an assembly be convened of all parents—Ashkenazic and Sephardic alike, and those who support one language or the other. This gathering should be devoted to a serious and focused discussion of the issue at hand: the conduct of the students, both within and beyond the walls of the Talmud Torah, including discipline, order, and adherence to the frameworks of learning.

This discussion must be approached with the gravity it deserves, in a manner that leads directly to concrete action. To that end, a parents’ committee should be selected, upon whom responsibility for this matter will rest going forward. This committee should in turn determine a group of parents who will maintain vigilant supervision over the students, ensuring proper conduct, along with additional steps appropriate for correcting the situation promptly and steadily improving it—progressing ever upward in goodness.

It is my earnest prayer that I will receive good news in return mail regarding all the above, and—most importantly—that there will be a true drawing together of hearts: a genuine unity, in which each individual, and all together, do everything within their power so that this goal is fulfilled among the students of the Talmud Torah, alongside all the other students of the boys’ and girls’ institutions in Kfar Chabad—so that they may grow to be תלמידים הראויים לשמם באמת, reflecting Torah not only in study, but in character and conduct.

With blessing for success in all the above matters,
[The Rebbe]

 

[1] Igros Kodesh Vol. 25 pp. 142-144

[2] Igros Kodesh Vol. 25 pp. 142-144