Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9459

By the grace of Hashem,

Rosh Chodesh* Adar* 5728,
Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants in the twenty-sixth annual gathering of the
"supporters of Yeshivat Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch"
of Montreal*, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet and bless you,

We find ourselves in the days[1] during which one reads in the Torah* the Sidrot* that describe the construction of the Sanctuary*. The Torah*[2] is eternal[3] and its name shares the same etymology as Hora'ah*[2] — teaching — [meaning] that it has an eternal teaching, for all times.

The enduring validity of the Torah* is even more clearly highlighted by the saying of the Admor HaZaken*,[5] author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, that the weekly Sidrah* is related to the events of the week just passed. The connection with the Yeshiva's annual celebration can therefore be illuminated by noting that here too it is a matter of building a Sanctuary*.

The central point of building a Sanctuary* was the participation brought by the children of Israel to this endeavor — through their gold, silver, and other material objects. In this way they built a holy place for the Divine Presence* and also enabled Hashem to dwell among them. In the same way, they thereby drew down heavenly blessings in all their needs, material and spiritual.

In our time, the Yeshiva* takes the role of the Sanctuary* and the Temple*. The Torah* of Hashem is studied there, and [the students] go out from there to spread [Torah*] in Israel and throughout the world.

The supporters of the Yeshiva* — like those who contributed to the Sanctuary* — take upon themselves a share in this holy work, in the dissemination of Torah* and of the fear of Hashem. By doing so, they also draw down Hashem's blessing in all their needs, as is clearly stated in the Torah*: "They shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them" — meaning, among each and every one of them*[note]. Purim* is approaching — the days of "Hakhel*"[note] in the sense that, when Jews gather together, this itself reveals the Shechinah* among them. And in the spirit of the joy of Purim*, it is said:[12] "For the Jews there was light, joy, gladness, and honor"[4] — and: "light is Torah*..."[13] With my blessing for success and that you give me good news,

M. Schneerson,

Notes

[1] Rosh Chodesh* Adar Sheni* [second Adar].
[2] See Likutei Sichot*, volume 6, page 383.
[3] See, in this regard, letter no. 9217.
[4] The Rebbe underlines the words: "Hakhel," "men, women, and children," "that they may hear, that they may learn, and fear Hashem your Hashem, to observe and fulfill" — and: "light, joy, gladness, and honor."
[5] The saying of the Admor HaZaken regarding the weekly Sidrah*.
[10] See Midrash Shemot Rabbah*, chapter 9, paragraph 4 and chapter 10, paragraph 4.
[11] According to tractate Berakhot* 28a.
[12] According to tractate Ta'anit* 29a and the Magen Avraham*, Orach Chaim*, end of chapter 686.
[13] Esther* 8:16. According to tractate Megillah* 16b.