I Will Write It In Their Hearts - Volume 1: Release Time Education Programs in Public Schools; outreach to Jewish children as a means of nullifying the harsh decrees of the Holocaust

No. 49

This letter was written to a Rav whose identity remains unknown.

7 Shvat, 5703

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your note to the Rebbe shlita and to Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, and your suggestion with regard to the one hour of "Release Time"[1] granted to school children on Wednesdays:

The Rebbe shlita forwarded your letter to us and encouraged us to become involved in this project. We have established contact with capable people who have the capacity to accomplish this goal. We have already completed the [enrollment] cards necessary. Certainly, you have already received them.

You will surely send us a report concerning the Beis Rivkah schools which is under your directorship as mentioned in our telephone conversation. Enclosed is an example [of such a report].

In these days, when [the Jewish people] are suffering harsh decrees, resembling those of Haman (see Sanhedrin 97b), the appropriate response has also been given by our Sages[2] (Bava Metzia 85a) to teach the children of the common people Torah and to motivate a wicked person to repent, as the Targum and Rashi interpret the verse from Yirmeyahu cited by our Sages as a prooftext, for these activities negate [unfavorable heavenly] decrees. Every person should view the world as equally balanced between good and bad, and through his positive actions, he can tip the balance to good and bring deliverance and salvation as the Rambam states in [the Mishneh Torah,] Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4.

With the blessing "Immediately to teshuvah, immediately to Redemption,"

Chairman of the Executive Committee

Notes:

(Back to text) This refers to the hour of religious instruction granted to public school children. See the Introduction to Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. VII, p. 14ff.

(Back to text) See Letter No. 44 where these sources are explained in greater detail.

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