Letter 14

מנחם מענדל שניאורסאהן
ליובאוויטש
770 איסטערן פֿאַרקוויי
ברוקלין, נ.י.

RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
Lubavitch
770 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn 13, N. Y.
Hyacinth 3-9250

By the Grace of G-d
18th of Cheshvan, 5724
Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mr. Mordecai Zvi Sufrin
57, Ashbourne Grove
Salford 7, Lancs.
England

Greeting and Blessing:

I received your letter of the 14th of Cheshvan with the enclosure. You are, of course, quite right in writing that the purpose of education is not merely the increase of knowledge, but the actual training and upbringing to live the Jewish way of life. This is especially true in our day and age, in view of the adverse influence of the environment, etc., which makes it all the more imperative to instill a goodly measure of Yiras HaShem into the children. Indeed this 3 The purpose of the Torah and Mitzvoth, as it is written ויצונו ה' לעשות את כל החוקים האלה-לירה אלקינו לטוב לנו כל הימים גו'. There can be no difference of opinion as far as the purpose of Jewish education is concerned, which applies everywhere. There can only be a difference of approach and method as to how to attain this goal, and this may vary from generation to generation, from city to city and sometimes even from classroom to classroom.

Another point to remember is that inasmuch as parents are not always permeated with the idea that true Jewish education is truly vital for their children, it is necessary to follow the approach suggested by our Sages, of blessed memory לעולם כו' שסתוך שלא לשמה בא לשמה. This is why it is often useful to emphasize the good side effects of Jewish education, until they will eventually understand also the essential aspects involved.

With regard to the question which you write towards the end of your letter, namely, about your present job and your difficulty with Parnosso, etc., an improvement would depend on those who must be approached and who have the final say. Therefore, it would be well for you to consult fully with such persons that know them personally, and who can judge their reaction to any particular approach.

May G-d, who feeds and sustains the whole world out of His generous and ample Hand, also give you your Parnosso with Kashrus and peace of mind, so that you should be able to concentrate on your efforts to strengthen and spread true Yiddishkeit to the utmost of your capacity.

Hoping to hear good news from you

With blessing
By M. Schneerson