HOW TO STRENGHTEN TORAH AND YIDDISHKEIT
Yud Beis Tammuz
This week we celebrated the Frierdike Rebbe’s liberation on Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz.
Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz is a time to strengthen our activities of spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, following in the ways of the Baal Hageulah.
In his letter in honour of the first celebration of Yud Beis Tammuz (5688), the Frierdike Rebbe writes that “it should be established as a day of farbrengen and hisorrerus to strengthen Torah and Yahadus (חיזוק התורה והיהדות) in each place according to its needs”.
The Rebbe questions; Torah study is part of Yahadus. Why does the Frierdike Rebbe deliberately highlight strengthening Torah as something seemingly separate from Yahadus? Further the letter does not refer to spreading or teaching Torah but to strengthening Torah.
The Rebbe answers that “strengthening Torah” is not something separate; rather it is a precondition and the directing force in all of our activities to strengthen Yahadus.
Since the Frierdike Rebbe writes that we need to strengthen Jewish observance in every place, one may think that in a place where Jews are not-yet observant, one can and should adapt the principles of Torah according to the needs of the place to be more effective.
So the Frierdike Rebbe emphasises that the activities to strengthen Yahadus must be based on Torah without compromise.
This is our challenge and it’s a delicate balance. We can and must spread Yiddishkeit in all places and to Jews from all backgrounds, but we must remain true to what and whom we represent.
As shluchim and Mosdos, we face a dilemma. Should we be lenient on certain higher Torah standards to better reach a wider audience?
In a Sicha from Parshas Shelach 5748, the Rebbe addressed the sin of the Meraglim. Like the Meraglim, we need to use our own seichel in deciding how we approach our Shlichus. But the Rebbe highlights, that it is self-understood that the way one approaches their Shlichus must be built on the principles of Torah and the instructions of the Meshaleach. Only then can the Shlichus be the way the Meshaleach wants it to be.
The Rebbe addresses the rationalisation that by compromising on higher standards we will have greater Hatzlocha and attract more people to bring closer to Yiddishkeit. In a Sicha from Pesach 5714 the Rebbe stresses that Kiruv must be without compromises to Torah.
The truth of the argument that by compromising we will be more successful is highly questionable. Even if one was sure that this was the case, who says that this is Hatzlocha? Who says that Shlichus comes above the Shulchan Aruch?
Countless times the Rebbe quoted the Mishna מקרבן לתורה. We must draw Yidden closer to true, authentic Torah and not bring the Torah down to them with compromises or forgoing on aspects of Halocha. When spreading Yiddishkeit we do not necessarily give the full Torah in one shot. But the Yiddishkeit that we give must be without compromise.
Shlucho shel Odom K’moso, operating under the Rebbe’s name is a tremendous zechus, but it comes with a great responsibility.
The days of Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz are an Eis Ratzon to draw down Brochos for the success of our Shlichus and activities in Hafotzas Hayahadus. The Keili for the Meshaleach’s Kochos is when we have Chizzuk HaTorah as the foundation.
For this reason even Mosdos require Aseh Lecha Rav; to have a Rov and a Chassidishe Mashpia with whom they consult and take direction. This will ensure that our efforts to reach and share Yiddishkeit with all Jews will be according to Torah at the highest standards.
In this zechus may we receive all of the blessings and Kochos to have true Hatzlocha and bring our fellow Yidden closer to Torah and Chassidus.
Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz is a time to strengthen our activities of spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, following in the ways of the Baal Hageulah.
In his letter in honour of the first celebration of Yud Beis Tammuz (5688), the Frierdike Rebbe writes that “it should be established as a day of farbrengen and hisorrerus to strengthen Torah and Yahadus (חיזוק התורה והיהדות) in each place according to its needs”.
The Rebbe questions; Torah study is part of Yahadus. Why does the Frierdike Rebbe deliberately highlight strengthening Torah as something seemingly separate from Yahadus? Further the letter does not refer to spreading or teaching Torah but to strengthening Torah.
The Rebbe answers that “strengthening Torah” is not something separate; rather it is a precondition and the directing force in all of our activities to strengthen Yahadus.
Since the Frierdike Rebbe writes that we need to strengthen Jewish observance in every place, one may think that in a place where Jews are not-yet observant, one can and should adapt the principles of Torah according to the needs of the place to be more effective.
So the Frierdike Rebbe emphasises that the activities to strengthen Yahadus must be based on Torah without compromise.
This is our challenge and it’s a delicate balance. We can and must spread Yiddishkeit in all places and to Jews from all backgrounds, but we must remain true to what and whom we represent.
As shluchim and Mosdos, we face a dilemma. Should we be lenient on certain higher Torah standards to better reach a wider audience?
In a Sicha from Parshas Shelach 5748, the Rebbe addressed the sin of the Meraglim. Like the Meraglim, we need to use our own seichel in deciding how we approach our Shlichus. But the Rebbe highlights, that it is self-understood that the way one approaches their Shlichus must be built on the principles of Torah and the instructions of the Meshaleach. Only then can the Shlichus be the way the Meshaleach wants it to be.
The Rebbe addresses the rationalisation that by compromising on higher standards we will have greater Hatzlocha and attract more people to bring closer to Yiddishkeit. In a Sicha from Pesach 5714 the Rebbe stresses that Kiruv must be without compromises to Torah.
The truth of the argument that by compromising we will be more successful is highly questionable. Even if one was sure that this was the case, who says that this is Hatzlocha? Who says that Shlichus comes above the Shulchan Aruch?
Countless times the Rebbe quoted the Mishna מקרבן לתורה. We must draw Yidden closer to true, authentic Torah and not bring the Torah down to them with compromises or forgoing on aspects of Halocha. When spreading Yiddishkeit we do not necessarily give the full Torah in one shot. But the Yiddishkeit that we give must be without compromise.
Shlucho shel Odom K’moso, operating under the Rebbe’s name is a tremendous zechus, but it comes with a great responsibility.
The days of Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz are an Eis Ratzon to draw down Brochos for the success of our Shlichus and activities in Hafotzas Hayahadus. The Keili for the Meshaleach’s Kochos is when we have Chizzuk HaTorah as the foundation.
For this reason even Mosdos require Aseh Lecha Rav; to have a Rov and a Chassidishe Mashpia with whom they consult and take direction. This will ensure that our efforts to reach and share Yiddishkeit with all Jews will be according to Torah at the highest standards.
In this zechus may we receive all of the blessings and Kochos to have true Hatzlocha and bring our fellow Yidden closer to Torah and Chassidus.