Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7552 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem,

24 Teves* 5721,

Hilula* of the Alter Rebbe*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, whose merit protects us,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants in the annual dinner of the central Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

We received from my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, the following account (note 1: See, on this subject, letter no. 7540), delivering a teaching (note 2: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Hayom Yom*, at the date of 18 Teves*"), concerning the Alter Rebbe*, whose Hilula* is celebrated today, as the present letter is being composed. This delivers a particular lesson on the occasion of the annual dinner of the central Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*.

When the Tzemach Tzedek* was a child, he studied the verse: "And Yaakov* lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years." His teacher gave him the following interpretation (note 3: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "According to the Baal HaTurim*. See also the Zohar*, volume 1, page 216b"): our father Yaakov* lived, in Egypt, the seventeen best years of his life. Having returned home, the Tzemach Tzedek* questioned his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe*: "How is it possible to say that the best years of the life of our father Yaakov*, the choicest of the Patriarchs, were those he spent in the exile of Egypt, the most impure of all lands?"

The Alter Rebbe* answered him: "It is written: 'He sent Yehudah* before him to Yosef*, in order to prepare before him, in Goshen*.' The Midrash*, cited by the commentary of Rashi*, explains that our father Yaakov*, before going to Egypt, delegated Yehudah* in order to found for him a Yeshivah* there, where the tribes could study the Torah*. When one studies the Torah* (note 4: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Midrash*, cited by the Radak* in his commentary on the verse Yehoshua* 11:16 and the Pirkei de Rabbi Eliezer*, chapter 39"), one draws close (note 5: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Zohar*, volume 1, page 211a") to Hashem, blessed be He, and consequently, even in Egypt, one can 'live'" (note 6: See letters no. 7540 and 7545).

* * *

The teaching to be retained is the following. When Jews go to settle in a certain place, in every era and in every location, they must above all found there a place to study the Torah* — not only for the older generation, for Yaakov*, the father, but also, as stated, for the tribes, the children, the young generation, which must also devote itself to the study of the Torah*. When one is conscious that this is the beginning, the foundation of Jewish life, of a Jewish settlement, one strengthens and develops this Torah* institution, which thereupon becomes its center. In such a case, one can have the certainty that the years will be the best, even if, outwardly, one finds oneself in exile.

As stated, it is indeed in this way that one draws close to Hashem, Master of the world, that one obtains His blessings in increased proportion, in all one's needs — not only for the one who devotes himself to this study, but also for the one who supports it, as well as for all the leaders who make this study possible and disseminate the Torah* and the Mitzvos*.

* * *

What has just been explained has always been the objective of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim*, throughout their long history, their wanderings from one place to another, from one country to a second. My father-in-law, the Rebbe*, upon his arrival (note 7: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the talk of 9 Adar Sheini* 5700, in the Sefer HaSichos* summer 5700, page 5") in America, founded the central Yeshivah* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch* and laid the foundations of a broad system of Yeshivos*. The central Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch* brought and vivified the Torah* and the life of the Torah* in this country. This must continue in increased proportion, in conformity with the permanent demands of our troubled era. Indeed, one can verify ever more clearly that only the light of our Torah*, Torah* of life, is capable of showing the path of life. Whoever contributes to this holy enterprise obtains the blessings of Hashem, which enable him to make this moment and these years the best and the happiest of his life, materially and spiritually.

I extend my greetings and my blessing to the participants in this dinner, to the leaders and to the guests, formulating my request and expressing my hope that the annual dinner will provide the necessary means to strengthen and develop the work of the central Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*, in the broadest proportion. With my respects and my blessing for success,

Menachem Schneerson,