Where To Invest: Sefer Torah or Torah Chinuch?

Question: I have been blessed, baruch Hashem, with a successful business and I am looking to do a special Mitzvah. I have two options in mind: 1) To commission the writing of a new Sefer Torah, or 2) Support an existing Torah institution. I am asking you — from a Chinuch standpoint — where would my children receive the bigger message of the importance of investing in a mitzvah and tzedakah?

 Answer: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this interesting question. Before we go into the specifics, I would like to commend you for thinking about how to educate your children about the importance of the mitzvah of tzedakah. This is something that the Rebbe encouraged many times throughout the years.

Educating For Tzedakah

The following are some examples:

(1) “Each child should have their own tzedakah pushka and on every weekday they should (bli neder) put coins into the pushkah.” (Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 14 p. 280).

(2) In 5723 (1963), The Rebbe wrote a letter in which he describes the importance of the mitzvah of Matanos L’Evyonim on Purim – even in comparison to the mitzvah of Mishloach Manos.

The Rambam rules (Laws of Chanuka and Purim 2:17): “It is preferable for a person to be more generous with his donations to the poor than to be lavish in his preparation of the Purim feast or in sending portions to his friends. For there is no greater and more splendid happiness than to gladden the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the converts.”

The Rebbe adds: It is of great educational importance to train children to go beyond their immaturity and to give from their money to people that they do not have any official reason to give to (other than tzedakah). This is much more beneficial than focusing on giving gifts to their friends.

This is especially true, as the concept of tzedakah should lead to — in addition to giving funds — also donating oneself (physically) to charitable causes, which is one of the best ways to rid oneself of being self-centered. Self-centeredness is the root-cause of many emotional issues which can also lead to sin.” (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 36 p. 267).

Sefer Torah or Supporting Jewish Education?

In regards to your specific question, I would like to share with you two letters the Rebbe wrote to people in similar circumstances. The perspective of the answer is that tzedakah funds are best used when they fill the greatest need. That is also the discussion to have with your children. You explain to them the importance of seeing the needs of the community and addressing them.

(1) In 5717 (1957), there was an incident in a Shul in which (lo aleinu) a Sefer Torah fell on the floor. As atonement, the congregation collected tzedakah funds and gave it over to the rabbi to decide what to do with the money. While the congregation wanted to use the funds to buy a Sefer Torah, their rabbi thought that it would be best if the funds were used to support Torah. The question was brought before the Rebbe, who answered the following:

“Even though it is a great inyan to buy another Sefer Torah, we are living in a time where the educational institutions are really struggling financially and those that study Torah are in dire financial straits. Thus, the idea of the rabbi — to give the money to support Torah learning — is correct.” (Igros, Vol. 14 p. 49; #4801).

(2) “I received your pa”n through Rabbi JJ Hecht in which you write that you plan on writing a Sefer Torah in your name and sending it to Eretz Yisrael… While the greatness and holiness of a Sefer Torah is obvious, I would like to bring to your attention that there is something holier: The people that learn the Torah. These days, many children are arriving in Eretz Yisrael whoneed Jewish education… [this letter is from 5712 (1952) when large waves of aliya were coming from Arab countries — Ed.]

I therefore advise: being that there is no lack of Sifrei Torah, but there is a lack of funds to pay salaries of teachers etc … please take the money that you were considering to sponsor a Torah with — and add one dollar — and use it to fund a new Cheder and to to sponsor Siddurim and Chumashim … Those children using your siddurim will pray for you..” (Igros, Vol. 21 p. 144; #7902)

[On a personal note, I’d like to add: While it is wonderful to see the almost weekly “Hachnasas Sefer Torah” announcements, I have heard from reliable Sta”m salespeople that this has resulted in a shortage of Mezuzos and Tefillin being written which has caused prices to sky-rocket and many people are left without the ability to buy mezuzos and Tefillin on the level they would have wanted. Perhaps a family may consider using that money to hire a sofer to write mezuzos and tefillin for a year to be sold at subsidized rates and this will be a great zechus for the neshama of the loved one. RGA]