Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9331

By the grace of Hashem,

11 Sivan 5727,
Brooklyn, New York,

To the students of Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch Yeshiva*,
on the occasion of the year-end celebration festival, in
Montreal, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet and bless you,

On the occasion of your year-end celebration festival[1], which will take place this 13th of Sivan, I send my greetings and blessing to those completing their studies, as well as to the rectors, directors, educators, and all the students[2]. This year-end celebration takes place immediately after the complementary days of the time of the giving of our Torah*[3] and, moreover, it occurs during a year[4] of Hakhel*[3]. One can therefore hope that it will be imbued with both[5] the spirit of the receiving of the Torah*[3] and that of the Hakhel*[3], which means that one will take a firm resolution there to give expression to this deep Hakhel*, to mobilize all the forces of one's soul and all one's possibilities for the Torah and for the Mitzvot*.

This means, above all, that one must redouble one's momentum and ardor in studying the Torah. Furthermore, this study will lead to action[6], to the observance of the Mitzvot, the two hundred and forty-eight positive commandments and the three hundred and sixty-five prohibitions, which encompass the person in their entirety[3], with their two hundred and forty-eight limbs and three hundred and sixty-five sinews, physically and morally[7].

Thus, the time of the giving of our Torah underlines that, even if it calls upon intellect and understanding, submission is nonetheless necessary. "We will do"[3] must precede "we will understand"[3]. The intellect itself must admit that this is the attitude to adopt, according to the Torah and in line with its logic, even if this goes against the rationality of the animal soul*.

To this is added the common point of the giving of the Torah*[3] and of the Hakhel*[3]: the unity and attachment of Jews, demonstrating their collective responsibility to strengthen one another in the study of the Torah and the observance of the Mitzvot, with a deep sense of love of one's neighbor, to the full extent of the strength and means that divine Providence grants to each person.

May Hashem grant success to each of those concluding their school year, among all the students of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva, so that they fulfill their mission as students of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva, spreading the light of the Torah, its revealed part and the teaching of Chassidut*. Indeed, we all have one and the same Torah. All of this will therefore be accomplished by advancing, adding, and illuminating, with joy and enthusiasm. With my blessing for immense success, both material and spiritual, as well as to receive good news from you,

M. Schneerson,

Notes

[1] See the Likkutei Sichot*, vol. 8, p. 261.
[2] See, on this subject, letter no. 9158.
[3] The Rabbi underlines the words: "time of the giving of our Torah," "Hakhel," "receiving of the Torah," "Hakhel," "in their entirety," "we will do," "we will understand," "giving of the Torah," and "Hakhel."
[4] See, on this subject, letter no. 9217.
[5] See, on this subject, letter no. 9325.
[6] According to tractate Kiddushin 40b.
[7] See tractate Makkot 23b and the Zohar*, vol. 1, p. 170b.