Is your child’s Talmud-Torah school kosher?

The aim of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshivos is clear to everyone. In the spirit of the phrase Torah ohr,1 which identifies the Torah with light, these halls of study aim to ensure that the holy light of the Torah will permeate Jewish households to the point that the Children of Israel will have light in their dwellings2 – not only in the houses of Torah study, but also in their homes.

Our Rebbe – the Rebbe of all Rebbeim, namely, the Baal Shem Tov, who perceives in every ordinary son and daughter of Israel the earnest simplicity of Avraham Avinu, and who perceives the soul that animates every existent entity and animates the body – teaches us likewise to perceive the soul within every entity.

It has been gratifying to see the warm response to our appeal for the dissemination of the study of Torah. The response of Jewish hearts to the Torah is precious. With gratitude to all of those present, I appeal to each of you to help us, with the help of G‑d, to establish yeshivos in this country! Help me fulfill my shlichus, the mission for which G‑d brought me here! Play your part in our work for disseminating the study of the Torah!

At this point I must repeat my warning to all of our fellow Jewish men and women in this country: Save your children from the treife Talmud-Torah schools,3 from the godless teachers who are apikorsim, who desecrate Shabbos, who eat treife food, who lead your children to desert the faith! Enroll your children in specifically kosher Talmud-Torah schools!

At this time,4 when all of us and our families stand in need of Heaven’s mercies and major salvation, the only means by which we can be saved is the study of Torah and the practical observance of mitzvos.

The most serious fault of American Jewry is that parents are embarrassed to let their children see that they practice Yiddishkeit. That fault has led to the way down to the lowest rungs.

Sons and daughters of Israel! Jewish fathers, speak with your children about observing mitzvos! Jewish mothers, speak with your daughters about observing the laws of family purity! And you will be blessed with fine children.

I hereby declare that the current festive appeal campaign will continue until Chai Elul, 5742 (1942), the anniversary of the date on which studies began in the [original] Tomchei Temimim Yeshivah in Lubavitch in 5657 (1897). I request of you that until the forthcoming Chai Elul, festive campaigns should be initiated throughout the whole of this country and likewise in Canada. It is my firm hope that all those present will do their share in our holy work – and in the merit of your participation, may you be blessed with children, life and sustenance, both materially and spiritually.