Opportunities to impart Yiddishkeit in a secular studies classroom
By the Grace of G-d
24th Adar, 5734
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. . . .
London, N. 16 6TP England
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter in which you write about how you became acquainted and involved with Lubavitch, as well as about certain problems with some parents of your students.
The problems that you mention are such that are present in all orthodox day schools, including the Lubavitcher schools in London. Consequently, it would be well for you to discuss them with the administration of the Lubavitch House and as it is written, “Help comes with the abundance of counsel.”
Incidentally, but quite to the point, I want to make the following observation relating to your mentioning that you are a teacher of limudei Chol. To be sure, there is a definite separation between Kodesh and Chol, as we also mention in havdala together with the other separations which must always be borne in mind. Yet, there is also the imperative b’chol d’rochecho do’ehu, especially as the term “knowing” is understood in Chassidus, namely not merely in the sense of knowledge but - loshon hiskashrus etc. she'mekasher da’ato b’kesher omitz v'chazak m'od (Tanya, end Ch. 3).
With regard to a teacher, it is plain that a student looks up to his teacher as an authority not only in the subject which he teaches, but also in other fields which apparently are not in the slightest related to that subject. Hence, as we see it all the time, the student is directly and indirectly influenced by the teacher in regard to general outlook and daily conduct. Consequently, when the teacher does an extra measure of Yiras Shomayim in his daily life and conduct, it has an immediate impact on the student, all the more so when they also hear some appropriate words in that direction.
Furthermore, even where a teacher teaches secular subjects, he has many opportunities to illustrate what he is teaching with examples and illustrations which have content of Kedusho. There is surely no need to elaborate on this to you.
May G-d grant that you should have good news to report both in regard to you and yours personally, as well as in your work to strengthen and promote Yiddishkeit among your students and their parents.
With blessing,
