Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7517 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem,

First light of Chanukah* 5721,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants in the Chanukah* gathering of the friends and donors of the Yeshivah* Achei Temimim*, of Newark, New Jersey, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

I learned with satisfaction that you are organizing the above gathering on the occasion of Chanukah*, in connection with the inauguration and opening of the new department of the Yeshivah* Achei Temimim* of Newark, New Jersey. This gathering takes place during the days of Chanukah*, which we celebrate in order to recall that the Greek kingdom sought to make the Jews forget the Torah* and the Mitzvos*. At that time, the self-sacrifice they demonstrated, their study, their observance of the Torah* and the Mitzvos* conferred upon them the victory, so that: "You placed the strong in the hands of the weak, the numerous in the hands of the few" (note 1: According to the text of the Al HaNissim*, the paragraph inserted during Chanukah in the Amidah* and the Grace After Meals). Now, there is therein a teaching and a lesson for our era, in this country, and concerning the education of children, since one incurs no persecution, Heaven forbid, when one studies the Torah* and practices the Mitzvos*.

Nevertheless, in the current situation, the students of Yeshivos* who study the Torah* of Hashem and are trained to practice His Mitzvos* do not constitute the majority of Jewish children, do not form the most numerous families, in a concrete manner. Consequently, Chanukah* reminds us and demands that we act as "in those days, at this time" (note 2: According to the text of the blessing recited when kindling the Chanukah lights). By giving of oneself for Judaism, for the Torah* and for the Mitzvos*, those who are few will ultimately attract those who are numerous and obtain the absolute victory. They will form a generation that will have been educated in the spirit of sacred values and, in this way, they will bring about the salvation of the entire Jewish people.

The Yeshivah* Achei Temimim*, with its various departments, has set itself the above objective and advocates such an education. I therefore have good hope that the lesson of Chanukah* will arouse in each of the participants an even stronger desire to commit themselves to strengthening the Yeshivah* and developing it. It is in this way that all will receive the blessings of Hashem, material and spiritual. With my respects, wishing you success and a joyous Chanukah*,

M. Schneerson,