Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8640 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

Sunday of Parshas Korach* 5723,

one hundred and fiftieth year of the passing

Hilula* of the Admur HaZaken*,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the students of the Yeshivah* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*,

on the occasion of their end-of-school-year celebration, in Montreal,

may Hashem grant you long life (note 1: See the Likkutei Sichos*, volume 13, at page 203),

I greet you and bless you,

On the occasion of the end-of-school-year celebration, taking place on 4 Tammuz*, in the month of the liberation of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, which approaches, I address my blessing to the students concluding their schooling and to their parents, as well as to the rectors of the Yeshivah*, to its directors, and to all those who take part in this joy of the Mitzvah*, may they have a long life. It goes without saying that a conclusion linked to the Torah* and the Mitzvos* must serve as a commencement, a passage to a higher level in the study of the Torah* and the practice of the Mitzvos* in daily life.

The beginning of the Sidrah* of this week presents the controversy of Korach* against Moshe* our master. In the Midrash* (note 2: Bamidbar Rabbah*, at the beginning of Parshas Korach*), our Sages*, of blessed memory, relate different details on this subject. Now, every detail of the Torah* is an integral part of it. Moreover, Torah* is of the same etymology as Horaah*, teaching and lesson. One of these points is the following. Korach* asked Moshe* our master whether a house filled with sacred books must also have a Mezuzah* on its door. Korach* claimed that such a house possesses far more than the two passages contained in the Mezuzah*, that the latter is therefore superfluous. However, Moshe* our master responded to him that the door of such a house must also bear a Mezuzah*.

From this follows the following teaching, particularly important for students who are completing their school year. When a student of a school based on sacred values reaches the stage of "conclusion," he could consider that he is henceforth "a house filled with sacred books," that he is therefore already "exempt from Mezuzah*." One will therefore respond to him that one who has reached such a level must nonetheless have recourse to the protection and the presence of a "Mezuzah*" on the "doors" of his head and his heart.

The content of a Mezuzah* is the first two paragraphs of the Shema*, "Hear" (note 3: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "Hear," "It will be if you listen," "Hashem is our Elokim*, Hashem is One," "it will be if you listen," and "Hashem is our Elokim*, Hashem is One") and "It will be if you listen" (note 3). This means that a Jew, whether he is in his home or goes out into the street, must always remember that he himself and all that concerns him belong to Hashem, "Hashem is our Elokim*, Hashem is One" (note 3). From this follows what is said next, "it will be if you listen" (note 3), putting into practice the Injunctions of Hashem, conforming to His Will, in every aspect of daily existence.

This is therefore what a student "completing" his schooling must remember. It is said (note 4: In tractate Peah*, chapter 1, Mishnah* 1) that: "the study of the Torah* surpasses all other Precepts" and such a student has, thank Hashem, studied the Torah* with success. Nevertheless, it is not enough to possess knowledge in the head, like books arranged on a shelf (note 5: In English in the original text, "shelf"). It is important, above all, that the Torah* penetrate and permeate the head and the heart, the intellect and the feeling, until this is revealed and finds an application in all the domains of daily existence, in the practice of the Mitzvos* in the best way and with joy.

May Hashem cause that every student of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch* be at the level of a "house full of holiness," furnished with a good "Mezuzah*" on every "door" of the head and the heart. Wherever he is and wherever he goes, one must see that "Hashem is our Elokim*, Hashem is One" (note 3), be permeated with love of Hashem, love of the Torah*, love of one's fellow, all of this forming but one single whole (note 6: See, on this subject, letter no. 8229). In this way, it is certain that the promise will be fulfilled according to which: "I will give your rains in their time," as well as all the divine blessings that are enumerated in this Parashah*, both materially and spiritually. With my blessing for a considerable success, as well as to give me good news,

M. Schneerson,