Bochurim Mentoring Bochurim?
Question: I am the Menahel of a Yeshiva Ketana (for boys of High School age) and a Yeshiva Gedolah (for boys of Beis Midrash age) and generally they are separate institutions. Recently, some of the older boys have asked permission to start an “Ach Gadol” program, where the older boys connect with and mentor the younger bochurim in an unformal manner. Is this something that the Rebbe encouraged? What about other activities for the older bachurim, like Yom-Tov Mivtzoim and being dorm counselors?
Answer:
This is a very important Chinuch question, and I appreciate the opportunity to share a few important letters of the Rebbe on this subject. It is important to clarify from the onset that there is a big difference between specific and limited interaction (like a weekly learning program or going on Mivtzoim etc.) and an official job (like a dorm-counselor or teacher) that is given to the older bachur.
“It’s not always good for a student to be a teacher”
The following is an answer to a question whether the Yeshiva bochurim should be involved in outreach activities on 19 Kislev or Purim. The Rebbe responded sharply:
“It is shocking to me that there is a doubt regarding whether this is a positive thing, after I wrote in the past that it is a very positive thing. Even though it is not always good for a student to be turned into a teacher or dorm counselor, because this can give the student the impression that he is “finished the system” – the Yeshiva does not seem concerned about that. Yet, when it comes to specific outreach activities like Purim and 19 Kislev, the Yeshiva is putting up so many barriers. It is also known that the Frierdiker Rebbe instituted in 770 that the students are involved in some outreach activities (E.g. Released Time – RGA), and most of the students participate.” (Igros, Volume 10 page 98; #3059).
Older Bochurim Learning With Younger Ones:
Regarding the idea that the older bachurim should learn with the younger bachurim, the Rebbe writes:
(1) “I am interested in knowing if you set up a system where the older students interact with the younger students as counselors or educators. (It is understood that I do not mean that they should have official positions, rather an experience that will help train them to be involved in education). It is also a very positive thing for the self-esteem of the older students and it will push them to study with more diligence and be more careful in their observance of the mitzvos.” (Igros, Volume 11 pages 206-207; #3497).
(2) “To the older students that are learning in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch – Lod: I enjoyed receiving your letter from the 17th (numerical value of tov, good) of Iyar in which you write that you took upon yourselves the resolution to have a positive effect on the younger students. You want to instill in them Chassidishe values by doing set activities with them and by being a living example of a proper student of Tomchei Temimim. I am sure that this is being done under the direction – and obviously with permission – of the Hanhallas HaYeshiva.
Not For the Sake of the Younger Ones…
The Rebbe then adds the following point in regards to the benefit of learning with younger – and thus lower level – students: “Our Chachamim have told us that by learning with students, the person that is teaching benefits more than what he would benefit from friends and a teacher. This is also hinted to in the giving of the Torah. We find that Hashem lowered Himself to give the Torah to human beings whose souls had to be lowered into a physical body.” (Igros, volume 23 page 399; #8986).
