The dissertation was titled Rabbinic Concepts of Responsibility for Others: A Study of the Commandment of Rebuke and the Idea of Mutual Surety, which was submitted and accepted by the Philosophy and Theology department of King’s College, London. Rabbi Sacks related that the Rebbe suggested, in his 1978 audience, to change the subject of his thesis from secular philosophy to an idea connected to the rabbinate. Additionally, the Rebbe instructed him to send him the finished doctorate (Jonathan Sacks When Mysticism Saved the Jewish People, Le'ela 1995 (issue 39)).
To this very letter the Rebbe enclosed a handwritten note, with multiple comments on the thesis. One of the points, as detailed by Rabbi Sacks in the above article, was surprised that he did not quote Tanya Chapter 32, on the subject of Ahavas Yisrael, notwithstanding the fact that he was writing from the standpoint of Jewish Law and not focused on mysticism per se.
