Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5913 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem*,

10 Kislev* 5718,

Brooklyn, New York,

To our brethren, the Children of Israel, who cherish the Torah*,

who recognize the value of Torah* and mitzvos*,

may Hashem* grant you long life,

Shalom* u'vracha*,

The annual dinner of the central Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*, which will take place, with Hashem's* help, on 20 Teves* 5718, celebrates this year the sixtieth anniversary of its founding in Lubavitch*.

The Yeshivos* Lubavitch* have traversed a long path, filled with numerous vicissitudes and events. During these sixty years, troubled by opposition and exile, its founders and leaders — the Rebbe Rashab* and my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us — its deans and mashpi'im*, its teachers and students, carried with mesirus nefesh* "the candle (which) is a mitzvah* and the Torah* (which) is a light," as well as the luminary of Torah*. They spread the radiance of Torah* and mitzvos* by every possible means, in the cities and countries to which Divine Providence* led them.

This year, the center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim*, in addition to the sixtieth anniversary of its founding in Lubavitch*, also celebrates the eighteenth anniversary of its establishment in this country, thus introducing an unbroken golden chain of accomplishments for Torah* and for the fear of Hashem*.

An anniversary does not serve merely to celebrate a date. It further requires taking stock of what has been accomplished during the year that has just passed, in order to develop the achievements during the coming year.

During a troubled period, at the cost of exceptional difficulties and efforts, the Yeshivos* Lubavitch* succeeded not only in existing, but also in developing, expanding, and growing — both quantitatively and qualitatively. One can therefore imagine what they could have accomplished under better conditions.

Such is precisely the demand and the moral reckoning that must be undertaken by anyone who is conscious of the value of Torah* and Yiddishkeit*, on the occasion of this celebration and this double anniversary.

It is a fact that during these past eighteen years, the center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch* has broadly distinguished itself and left its mark on Jewish life in America. Nevertheless, one must rise higher in the domain of kedushah* and also add more. One therefore cannot rest content with the achievements of the past year. One must forge ahead, multiply action, add more and more, develop. For this, the participation of each individual is necessary, and one must rise, add, establish one's financial standing and collaboration with the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim*, in general.

Hashem* gives the assurance that: "to whoever adds, more is added" — the satisfaction of all one's needs, material and spiritual.

With my blessing for all material and spiritual good,

Menachem Schneerson