5875 —שמירת שבת בלימודים בבית הספר, והלימוד בסמינר דטנגיר

B"H, 26 Marcheshvan, 5718

Brooklyn.

Brachah v'Shalom!

In reply to your letter of 11/17, in which you write about your studies and the difficulties you have regarding the holy Shabbos day, since there are those who demand that you attend school on that day too.

It would be proper for you to turn to the rav of your community and ask him, together with the communal leaders, to do all that he can in this matter, by explaining to the school administration the great importance of keeping Shabbos, and what our Sages, of blessed memory, said: שקולה שבת כנגד כל המצות "Shabbos is equal to all the mitzvos" (Jerusalem Talmud, Berachos 1:5; Nedarim 3:9; Shemos Rabbah 25:12), and much more.

Even if you succeed in arranging the matter of Shabbos in the very best way, it is understood and plain that even then it would be far, far better for you to study at the seminary in Tangier. I believe that secular subjects are also studied there, so you could continue those studies too while you are there. It should be explained to your parents, may they live, that G‑d, blessed and exalted be He, watches over each and every man and woman with individual Divine providence, and He הזן ומפרנס לכל בטובו בחן בחסד וברחמים "nourishes and sustains all, in His goodness, with grace, with kindness and with mercy" (Grace after Meals, first blessing). By their permitting you to study at the aforementioned seminary, where holy subjects are studied, and doing so soon, it is clear that all this will help you to become settled in life in the future. It is therefore surprising that they wish to put this off for a time. May it be G‑d's will that this effort too will succeed.

Surely you are accustomed to say some prayer each day in the morning, and also at night before going to sleep. May G‑d, blessed be He, grant you success, so that you may report good news in all of the above.

With blessing,

In the name of the Rebbe, may he live long and good days,

Secretary

P.S.

In my secretariat French is not written, and therefore the reply comes in the Holy Tongue; but you may write in French in the future too, since I read that language.

Summary

This letter tells a young woman pressed to attend school on Shabbos to have her community's rav and leaders explain to the school that Shabbos equals all the mitzvos, and urges that in any case she study, without delay, at the seminary in Tangier, since G‑d, who sustains all, watches over each person and will see to her future.