Collated by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Tonight, the tenth of Nissan, is the 13th yahrtzeit of Moreinu HaRav Henoch Leibowitz zt”l.  The Rosh HaYeshiva zt”l was one of the primary movers behind the idea of entering chinuch, and kiruv, in out-of-town communities.  He provided inspiration, guidance, and chizuk both to his own students and to others who have entered into that holy arena of Avodas Hashem. We no longer have that inspiration.  But what if there was a message, a kind of letter, or a series of letters that could provide such inspiration?  What if there was a step-by-step guide that could give us such chizuk and clarity of purpose? What follows is just such an item. It has been repurposed and slightly edited, to appear in letter form – from other sources. A sentence or two has been added here and there, but they are, in totality, the Rosh HaYeshiva’s own words.   Letter #1 Dear Reb _________, Sometimes, we can get depressed and we can lose focus as to our purpose and direction. But don’t let the yetzer hara get a foothold. Rather, you can gain chizuk from the fact that Jews across the nation have come to realize that in order to maintain Jewish identity, Jewish culture alone cannot substitute for what has been the life spring of our existence.   Jewish culture itself has a vague and empty form. It is without substantive religious content – which is what everyone needs. Torah has been a foundation of our existence. It has sustained us throughout the galus. And Jews everywhere have come to realize that to a certain extent. What you are doing is bringing them back to their heritage. There is general disappointment in secular ideals.  There is a realization that there is a higher and more forceful power.  It is clear that no scientific discipline has been devised that can elevate human character. Also, the Jewish identity, in that sense, has not been maintained and it is this realization that is behind the nationwide resurgence in yiddishkeit. People have found that with all the material acquisitions, with all the push-button conveniences, we have not found the happiness that we were so hotly pursuing. There must be something more.  There must exist something ever more meaningful to mankind. “Lo al halechem levado yishye haodom.” Man does not live by bread alone which includes within it every physical, material gain. No matter what sort of life one leads, there must be some sort of spiritual satisfaction. There is great disappointment with secular culture –  it does not fulfill human needs. Reb _______, Jews everywhere are searching and yearning for something meaningful and significant. This is why we have a resurgence to Yiddishkeit. This come back; looking to this culture which has given us eternity, which has given fulfillment, and that is still being pursued. This is what you must focus upon and tap into.   Of course, the course is rocky. We do not enough manpower to guide them properly. You have done so, however, ashrecha. [Rav] ACHL **** Letter #2 Dear Reb _________, How are you? Continuing along our previous letter, I just want to let you know that you are following the imprint established by my father zatzal, who had a very deep feeling of faith […]

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