Chabad Children in Non-Chabad Mosdos?

Question: We are Chabad Chassidim and we are baruch Hashem blessed with a very gifted son. A local non-Chabad Yeshiva where my husband is employed as an administrator, is definitely on a higher academic level than the local Chabad Yeshiva. I am receiving a lot of pressure to send my son to the non-Chabad Yeshiva. What’s the Rebbe’s approach to this situation?

Answer:
There are many strong answers from the Rebbe about this very situation, and I will share just a few. There are many other letters that were compiled and printed in Likkutei Sichos Volume 22 pages 417-426 as a special chapter of a compilation of letters of the Rebbe on chinuch:

What Did Your Kids Do To Deserve This?

(1) “Based on what we heard from the Frierdiker Rebbe, it is clear that Chabad children should be in Chabad institutions for all levels of their education. Of course I have heard that some members of Anash act differently, and they “encloth” their decisions with explanations that it is beneficial to the Yiras Shamayim of their children. I feel terrible pain for these members of Anash — and even more on their children — as these young sheep have not sinned..” (Igros, Vol. 23 p. 189; #8825).

Make Agudahniks into Chabadniks, Not Vice Versa

(2) “In reply to your letter of 9 Elul [in which] you explain the reasons why … placed his son in an educational system outside of our yeshivah: firstly because he is a member of Agudas [Yisrael] and secondly, because [he is concerned about] future plans. Both of these reasons are without substance:

a) [Regarding] the fact that he is a member of the Agudah: It is well known that every person must endeavor to exert an influence on his surroundings and not vice versa. Since he has a connection to Chabad and was bonded to my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ”מ, and yet his surroundings are [people from] the Agudah, this is [inspired by] Divine Providence [with the intent] that he make the Agudahniks into Chabadniks and not that he should make himself, his wife, and his children, who are Chabadniks into Agudahniks. 200 includes 100, but not the converse. I am not elaborating on this because it is obvious and any elaboration is superfluous.

b) [Regarding] the rationale given — [concern for] future plans: Our Sages wrote: “A person does not know how he will earn his livelihood.” This refers both to his spiritual livelihood and his physical livelihood. If this applies to adults, it certainly applies to children who are still in the initial stages of their education. It is utterly impossible to know from where they will derive their livelihood when they grow up and reach adulthood.” (Igros, Vol. 3 p. 475; #756)

The “Highest Level” a Mossad Can Be On

(3) “In response to your letter … which you write about the place where you are learning. You write that you are not (in a Lubavitcher mossad) because the (Lubavitcher institution) is not on the same learning level:

The shock [over this is obvious] especially as I know her home (and family) to be a Chassidishe house. Thus it should be clear to her that the “highest level” that an institution can be on is that it is run according to (the directives) of our Rebbeim. As (good education) is not only the amount of knowledge received, but being educated in a way that fits with the purpose of man in this world.” (Igros, Vol. 20 p. 321; #7742).

(4) “In response to your letter about the place of education for Lubavitcher children: It is clear that our Rebbeim are the ones that direct the Chabad institutions…and praiseworthy are all members of Anash (and all Yidden can be called Anash) that will educate their children in these institutions … It is also obvious that you have the permission, and privilege, to share my clear hashkafa [on this matter] to all those that want to hear…” (Igros, Vol. 13 p. 96; #4365).

How do you expect me to report this to the Rebbe?!

With the greatest astonishment (mixed with pain) I read your letter-Pan dated…

And the reason for the astonishment is very simple: [my] practice is to read the Pan at the Tziyun. And in this case, what am I coming to report at the Tziyun? That in Eretz Yisrael … there is a certain man (“Ploni”) who is a G-d fearing Jew etc., and his wife also comes from a Chabad family … and they live in a Chabad environment, and they educated their descendants שיחיו in institutions belonging to my father in law, the Rebbe –

And just now I received a letter from him [reporting] that he decided to remove his eldest daughter from an institution of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, (and obviously, the explanations of the “renowned craftsman” [= the yetzer hara] that he must do this [are attached]).

Being so, he is also removing his younger daughter from an institution of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, and (therefore) is relocating his and his families residence from a Chabad neighborhood – as he writes “in an auspicious time” –

So, when I come to the Tziyun, what is it that I want from my father-in-law, the Rebbe, in connection with the afore-mentioned “good news”?

(Free translation of a handwritten answer; From The Rebbe’s Pen, p. 30)