Dear Editor,
I read with great interest the two-part article by veteran educator, R’ Nachman Yosef Twersky, in which he emphasizes the power of the unique and successful approach of Chabad Chassidus to chinuch.
When the first part was published, I felt that something was missing in that R’ Twersky did not mention the core element of the Chabad family which is our eternal bond with the Rebbe, the foundation on which we educate our children.
Although in the second part of the article it does mention how important it is to “live” with the Rebbe in the home, it seems to me that this should have been expanded on far more. For when we speak about the foundation and secret (as R’ Twersky referred to it) of Chabad chinuch, it all boils down to R-e-b-b-e.
A true Chassidic home needs to be entirely founded on hiskashrus to the Rebbe. In everything that is done, the child has to be reminded that we are doing this in order to give the Rebbe nachas. Before going to sleep at night we need to read Shma with the child and envision the Rebbe’s picture. Friday night we need to stress learning the Rebbe’s sichos so that even young children will read from Maayan Chai (or Please Tell Me What the Rebbe Said).
I was once hosted by a family where, before the sicha of the Rebbe is said by one of the children, the father asks for silence and says, “Now the Rebbe is speaking.” The solemnity in the room is palpable. The Rebbe needs to permeate every moment, simply living with the Rebbe.
The Rebbe’s instructions, his conduct, his ways, this is the secret to a Chabad chinuch, this is the magic with which were raised and are being raised generations of T’mimim, chassidim, and yerei Shamayim and Chassidishe girls who are mekusharos.
Shneur Zalman Cohen
Crown Heights