Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8581 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

Wednesday of the Parshas* (note 1: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "The part of the Sidrah* that corresponds to this day, Wednesday, in conformity with the practice instituted by the Admur HaZaken*, consisting of studying, each day, a passage of the Parshah* of the week, with the commentary of Rashi*. One will see, on this subject, the beginning of the Kuntres Chicago* and the Sefer HaSichos* 5702, at page 27")

"and Moshe* was a shepherd" (note 2: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "This is linked to the Hilula* of the Admur HaZaken* for, in every generation, there descend here below particles of the soul of Moshe* our master, introducing themselves into the body and the mind of the masters of the era, who are the eyes of the community, teaching wisdom to the people, the greatness of Hashem and the manner of serving Him, in one's heart and in one's mind, as chapter 42 of the Tanya* explains") 5723,

Brooklyn, New York,

To all the participants in the annual dinner of the center

of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch,

may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

The annual celebration of the center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch will take place, this year, on the propitious date of the 24th of Teves*, Hilula* (note 3: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "This day is favorable and propitious, as the remark of the Admur HaZaken* himself shows: 'One must know that on the day of the passing of our great master, the Maggid* of Mezeritch*, an important Hilula*, I was liberated from prison,' as the Beis Rabbi*, first volume, at chapter 18, relates," as well as the Igros Kodesh* of the Admur HaZaken*, volume 1, letter no. 38) of the Admur HaZaken*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, founder of the Chabad* Lubavitch movement, of its philosophy and its way of life.

It is fitting to note also that this day will be the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of his passing. Likewise, the arrangement (note 4: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "arrangement," "the last," "study and teach with love" and "with love") in the year (note 5: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "At the conclusion of the holy Shabbos* Parshas Shemos*, the 23rd, eve of the 24th of Teves*"), that is to say the day of the week and its Sidrah* (note 6: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "And, the Admur HaZaken* says, on this subject: 'One must live with the Parshah* of the week,' as the Kuntres Bikur Chicago* reports, at page 7" and the Sefer HaSichos* 5702, at page 30") are the same as on the day of the passing.

Without doubt, one must hope that all the participants in this gathering will assemble in the spirit of him whose Hilula* we celebrate. This will take the form, in each one of them, of a favorable response to the call that is launched by the Yeshivah*. It is in this way that this celebration will be the most perfect, both spiritually and materially, that is to say also financially.

* * *

One of the last writings of the Admur HaZaken*, composed shortly before his passing, perhaps even the last, which received a name based on its first words, "a humble soul" (note 7: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "It is printed in the Likkutei Dibburim*, volume 4, at page 597. See also the Igros Kodesh* of the Admur HaZaken*, volume 1, letter no. 65"), describes the mission and the essential phase of the service of Hashem of a Jew, in these generations, consisting of studying and disseminating the Torah*, of accomplishing good deeds and of giving Tzedakah*, standing close to other Jews, accepting all with love and returning to Hashem.

These three elements, studying and understanding the Torah*, accomplishing good deeds and returning to Hashem, must be based on the three loves (note 8: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "And, the Admur HaZaken* revealed in what manner each one can and must put into practice these three loves, as the Likkutei Dibburim*, volume 3, at page 1028, explains") and be reflected in them, love of Hashem, love of the Torah* and love of one's fellow. Such are precisely the fundamental rules of the education dispensed in the Yeshivos* Lubavitch.

One must therefore study the Torah* and disseminate it, "study and teach with love," study oneself, teach others, do both "with love."

The good deeds and the Tzedakah* of the students and of those who receive their education in the Yeshivos* Lubavitch are expressed, in particular, in their determination and their self-sacrifice to strengthen and propagate Judaism, to the most remote extremities of the earth.

And, the return to Hashem is fervent prayer (note 9: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "See the Likkutei Torah*, Parshas Bamidbar*, at page 13d"). One must therefore show how one prays, teach prayer, strengthen the bond between a Jewish heart and Hashem.

* * *

The directors, friends and donors of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim*, in addition to their personal accomplishments in these three domains, also have the great merit of taking part in the accomplishments of these Yeshivos*, which they try to strengthen and to develop, through their money, through their time, through their efforts to attract their friends and their acquaintances, to this end.

* * *

The Admur HaZaken* (note 10: See, on this subject, letters no. 7566, 7917 and 8604), whose Hilula* we celebrate, said (note 11: The Rebbe* notes, at the bottom of the page: "Reproduced in the Hayom Yom*, at the date of 27 Teves*"): "Hashem gives us material goods so that we make of them spirituality." May Hashem therefore grant each one, from His generous hand, within all of Israel, the satisfaction of all needs and may one make of these material goods spirituality, through a true Judaism, the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, in general, through action for a good education, in particular, through aid to the Yeshivos* Lubavitch, as was said, in order to free them from the weight of their debts and to enlarge their work, in conformity with the ever-greater needs and the demand of the moment. With my respects and my blessing of success in all that has just been said,

Menachem* Schneerson,