4841 —אין ללמד בכתה ספרים הנוגדים את התורה אף בכוונה להפריכם

B"H, 17 Marcheshvan, 5717

Brooklyn.

Brachah v'Shalom!

In answer to your letter of 25 Tishrei, in which you write that you may be required to teach in your class books that are against our Torah and its mitzvos; but some argue that if these studies are taught by others, they will not expose the negative in the words of these writers but will rather extol them, whereas if you teach them, the loss will be offset by the gain^[1].

Now, we see plainly that when one introduces a young man or young woman to new matters and then tries to separate them from these, it is certain that they will absorb the new matter, but it is very doubtful whether they will accept the refutation and the criticism — [and even more doubtful that] they will accept it in full. This is especially so since the opposing side will have a strong proof: if these ideas and books are to be rejected, why are they studied in the school, and a chareidi man or chareidi woman is the teacher? There have always been arguments such as this, and whoever accepted them brought about loss, and it is very doubtful whether there was even a little gain and benefit in it. And of course this is in addition to the matter of what onlookers will say: they will not be interested at all in how the subject is taught or what conclusions the teachers draw, but will only ask about the curriculum — if a certain book is included in it and is taught by someone who trembles at the word of G‑d and His Torah, this is a complete stamp of approval for the book. And this is easily understood^[2].

Since you mention nothing about your own situation, surely all is in order and well. May it be G‑d's will that you always, all the days, report only good regarding yourself and all those about whom you write.

It is understood that the reasons stated above are not needed at all according to the view of several leading poskim that it is forbidden to teach the aforementioned — it is like forbidden food, which may not be eaten even if one intends to try to vomit it up afterwards^[3].

With blessing,

On behalf of the Rebbe shlita

Secretary

Notes

[1] The loss will be offset by the gain (יצא ההפסד בשכר): from the Mishnah (Avos 5:11), "his loss is offset by his gain." Those arguing hold that if she herself teaches the books and refutes them, the harm of studying them will be made up by the benefit of the refutation. The Rebbe answers that in practice the loss is certain and the gain doubtful.

[2] And this is easily understood (וק"ל): the very inclusion of the book in the curriculum, and its being taught by a G‑d-fearing teacher, approves it in the eyes of onlookers, whatever the teacher says in class.

[3] Like forbidden food (כמו מאכל אסור): according to this view the prohibition lies in the study itself, just as with forbidden food the prohibition lies in the eating itself and is not permitted because one plans to vomit afterwards. So too here: teaching the books is not permitted because she intends to refute them afterwards.