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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:

1. 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.

1. 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)

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