Days of Vacation

Days of vacation are typically defined as days off from the regular learning schedule in educational institutions, as well as temporary breaks from workplaces.

However, Chabad Chassidus ideologically opposes the concept of "vacation" as expressed in common world practice. The Rebbe instructed that the meaning of "vacation days" should be defined as a period meant to strengthen Torah study and meticulous mitzvah observance.

Negating the Concept of Vacation

The Rebbe expressed many times that the concept of "vacation" is contrary to Torah and mitzvos. An example can be found in a letter the Rebbe wrote in 1959:

"It seems that during this period it is customary to change one's location, or in common language 'to take a vacation' (obviously this is self-contradictory, since vacation cannot be taken, only received. For if one could take it themselves, they would already be free. Furthermore, it fundamentally contradicts the concept of 'they are My servants'...)."

Cancelling Vacation

On certain occasions, the Rebbe expressed his view that vacation days should be completely abolished:

"In general, my perspective is well-known that there is no time now for vacation days at all, and on the contrary - for many reasons. If I had the ability, I would have cancelled it in the past, and certainly now and in the future."

This was indeed the practice for many years in Tomchei Tmimim Yeshivos, where the yeshiva remained open throughout the year. Each student would personally request permission to visit family when needed, while the yeshiva itself stayed open.

The Purpose of Vacation Days

Every action of Jewish men and women must have proper intention. Even the vacation days that just passed have an intention and purpose - to refresh strength and add courage so that you can continue - and for beginners, to begin - Torah study and proper chinuch with yiras shamayim with greater diligence and vitality.

No Vacation from Torah Study

"As the school year ends, I bless the graduating students advancing to higher classes and divisions on the ladder of their holy education.

The summer days begin, days of vacation and rest and renewal of strength and preparation for the coming school year, may it come upon us and you for good.

Know, dear children, blessed seed of Hashem, that summer vacation days do not mean vacation and interruption chas v'shalom from Torah study. No Jewish boy or girl is permitted to live without Torah study and proper chinuch in Torah and mitzvos even for one day, whether in summer or winter. On the contrary! In the long summer days, when students are free from school, Talmud Torah or yeshiva, you are given the opportunity and privilege to dedicate your free hours to Torah with greater intensity and strength - both for yourselves, reviewing previous learning and preparing for the coming school year, and for others - positively influencing your brothers and sisters who have not merited, like you, to stand in the corner of light. In this way you will rise higher and higher, from elevation to elevation, on the path leading to the house of G-d.

Only in this way will you refresh strength, not just physical strength but also the strength of the pure neshamah, which together, and primarily the neshamah, make a person complete and perfected."

• From a letter of 16 Sivan 5711

Men Also Must Be Careful with Tznius

"...Particularly since there are those who start summer before what's written in the calendar... the special matter that needs to be clarified now regarding summer days - is the matter of tznius.

The matter of tznius is - not like those who err thinking it's only for women that 'all the glory of the king's daughter is within', but for men it has no relevance. Rather - the matter is even more so for men, as ruled in Shulchan Aruch, that even for men there is the matter of tznius...

I received a picture of someone dressed 'from waist to thighs'. Now, if you go like this - why do you need them to photograph you standing in such a state and condition, that should remain for eternal memory?!...

And in the picture it appeared this was with desire, as we say 'for the sin we sinned before You willfully', and not just with desire, but also with pleasure!..."

• Free translation from the Shabbos Parshas Terumah 5741 talk

American Product Speaks About Yichuda Ila'ah

There are bochurim here going on shlichus (during summer vacation) to bring Jews closer, as has been customary in recent years.

Since 12 Tammuz is a segulah day to "draw down" all illuminations and influences regarding Torah and mitzvos - they must draw strength from this day for their shlichus to succeed, both what they accomplish consciously and what is accomplished through them unconsciously.

One of the tmimim who went on shlichus spoke fluent English and explained concepts in Yiddishkeit and Chassidus. He spoke about yichuda tata'ah and yichuda ila'ah, while walking his tzitzis was visible from his garment's corner. Also "peeking" from behind his ear was a "peyah" from his sidelock. One of the city's Jews (where this young man spoke) was interested in the bochur's origins - whether he was from Poland or Galicia. When told he wasn't European at all but rather an "American product", born in Boston - this greatly impressed him: a Jewish bochur, Boston-born, speaking fluent English, discussing yichuda tata'ah and yichuda ila'ah?! Though he couldn't fully grasp these concepts, he understood they were very lofty matters requiring several college degrees to comprehend...

That tamim-shliach knew nothing about this Jew. The "peyah" that "peeked out" was due to the heat that day in that place, which caused him to remove his hat, and since the wind was blowing - his sidelock flew slightly, and his visible tzitzis was merely due to carelessness...

The bochur who went on shlichus and spoke what he spoke didn't think at all about the Jew who was interested in him, but it deeply affected that person. The first benefit from this encounter was that to the first tzedakah collector ("meshulach") who came to this Jew's home - he donated a larger sum than ever before. Later they began speaking with him and influencing him regarding kashrus, Shabbos observance etc. Gradually he drew closer to Yiddishkeit, while that bochur who caused this - knows nothing about it to this very day.

Since these trips are the Rebbe's shlichus, it's as if the Rebbe travels with them. Therefore in matters requiring internal influence, they need to know about it, since they must speak with others. However, regarding the Rebbe's makif influence, the shliach doesn't necessarily need to know what resulted from this shlichus.

Since 12 Tammuz is a segulah day, they should "draw" strength for this from 12 Tammuz (the Rebbe hinted the shluchim should say l'chaim).

Specifically During Vacation Days

...It's surprising you don't mention anything about your Torah and mitzvos matters - now. Particularly as discussed, specifically in days called by the world "vacation days", one should increase in Torah study and mitzvah observance enhancement, since then several things that disturb during the year, one is free from them. Another reason for this, for those with certain personality traits, specifically in these days when not obligated by yeshiva law to discipline and study Torah a set number of hours daily, they show that with good will and without external command - they add many hours beyond this number. Especially since you must show a "living example" in your current environment of what a yeshiva student is in general and Tomchei Tmimim student in particular, from whom others should see and do likewise. As explained in many places in Chazal and our Sages.

Utilizing These Days

It's surprising what you wrote that since it's bein hazmanim in yeshivos therefore the number of participants in Chassidus classes decreased, because on the contrary - during bein hazmanim they are more free and able to increase these classes either in their current location or where they travel by connecting there with appropriate people. Just as something about these days is especially relevant, so it is in physical matters because so it is in spiritual matters, therefore it's understood how relevant the above is - meaning to utilize the Pesach days in study that strengthens faith, and even though seemingly the matter isn't relevant now, nevertheless there are similar occasions from time to time on days off etc...

The Learning Obligation Applies of Course Also During Vacation Days

Although in our days the Beis Hamikdash is destroyed and we don't have sacrificial service - we have the obligation of Torah study and mitzvah observance. This obligation applies to everyone, at every age and situation. However due to livelihood concerns many must suffice with set times for Torah.

The kohanim of our days, whose entire day is dedicated to Torah - are the rabbis, roshei yeshiva, and also the young men who receive their salary and all needs from others so they can be free for divine service, to learn and teach Torah.

The salary the young men receive in food, drink, clothing, housing etc., is like the priestly gifts the kohanim received when the Beis Hamikdash stood.

Since they don't have livelihood concerns - this obligates them to be diligent and persistent in Torah study and divine service, not only for themselves but also for their parents, for their friends who don't know their Torah and mitzvos obligations, and for all of Israel.

The learning obligation applies of course also during vacation days, therefore each of you should learn at least one hour daily, mainly the weekly parsha and laws in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch...

Not Always is the Intention to Serve Hashem Revealed

"This opposite this Hashem has made," and when the body engages in strengthening its health through simple physical matters, with increased eating and drinking, walking etc. (and not always is the intention to serve Hashem - revealed), this requires an increase also in the health of the neshamah, and even more than in bodily health, since the environment in summer resorts draws more to the above simple matters than in the city. At minimum the spiritual increase should match the physical increase, and it's brought that this is one of the reasons to learn Pirkei Avos immediately when summer begins, since then nature strengthens, trees blossom etc. It's also understood that from this there is absolutely no contradiction to the Baal Shem Tov's teaching of "you shall surely help with him," and not through fasts and afflictions because the power of desire should be clothed in holiness etc., until the hoped-for prophecy is fulfilled that the body will not only not disturb the spiritual and not only assist it but rather "the female will encompass the male."