An excerpt1 from Rabbi Shalom DovBer’s will composed a few days prior to his passing
. . . I request our friends, Anash, to bolster Yeshivat Tomchei Temimim as they have done until now. All those who maintain and strengthen it will be accredited great merit. No one has permission to alter, G‑d forbid, the yeshivah’s underlying character.2 The yeshivah’s director shall be my son, the Rav, may he live and be well. Anyone who supports, is involved with, or endeavors to strengthen the yeshivah, or to improve its spiritual or material welfare, will be blessed with the concomitant reward, [as expressed in the verse] “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and honor.”3 They will merit to have children and grandchildren engaged in the study of Torah and the service of G‑d....
My son, supervise and exert yourself over the affairs of Yeshivat Tomchei Temimim. With the help of G‑d, strive to make it flourish in conformance with the inward objective of the study of Chassidus and “service of the heart.” As I have written in Kuntres Etz Chaim,4 and as I have amplified in a letter to you, this [inner objective] is to bolster, with Divine assistance, the “inward [divine] service” [engaged in by people] nowadays. This is what is demanded of you; this is where you should direct your efforts.
Certainly, the revealed dimensions of the Torah must also be studied, and studied well, as is explained in the aforementioned treatise.5 For just as it is impossible for a body to be without a soul, so, too, is it impossible for a soul to be without a body. The primary focus, however, is on the “inward person” [i.e., the internal aspects of the individual].6
One who accepts upon himself the Kingdom of Heaven, though, fulfils both requirements; both [objectives] can thereby be [achieved and] sustained. But when the “external” aspect bears upon the “internal” in a negative way, then you must distance yourself from this “external” concern altogether.7 Do not impute any significance to it at all. You, my son, with your keen discernment, and especially, with your total devotion to the underlying purpose [of the yeshivah] will know, G‑d willing, how to assess and resolve this [type of issue].
Pursue, also, the establishment of regular Chassidus study classes in [outlying] cities, an undertaking that I have initiated. Thank G‑d, my efforts until now have been well received, and the public study of Chassidus has been instituted in many cities, [fulfilling the verse] “They who fear the L-rd spoke to one another. . . .”8
Recent [political] events have disrupted everything of late, but with the help of G‑d, the turmoil affecting the country will soon settle; therefore, we must renew our efforts. Likewise, comparable endeavors must be made with regards to the founding of chedarim in the outlying cities. May G‑d assist me and grant me the merit to continue to pursue these activities, just as He has granted me the merit to initiate them. In all these matters, my son, strive and dedicate yourself. Our friends, Anash, will surely lend you assistance. G‑d will be your support, and you will succeed in all your work
Every day9 [during my eleven months of mourning], I made a point of reciting sixteen Kaddeishim 10
Do not recite Barchu or Kaddish after the [Maariv] prayer on Shabbat.
The recitation of Kaddish should be discontinued one month and a day [prior to the first Yahrzeit]. For example, if a Yahrzeit coincides with the tenth of Shevat,11 Kaddish should be said until the ninth of Teves, inclusive.
I ask my wife to give tzedakah on my soul’s behalf, every Monday, Thursday, erev Shabbat, and erev Rosh Chodesh, during the first year [after my demise]. If it is possible that the tzedakah be given to the poor on that same day, so much the better. I ask that she make every effort in this regard.
Addendum
