Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9508

By the grace of Hashem, week

of the Parasha* Beha'alotecha* 5728,
"when you light the lamps",
Brooklyn, New York,

To all the participants at the annual dinner of
the Yeshiva* Achei Temimim of Newark,
may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet and bless you,

The participants at the annual dinner will no doubt bring with them the spirit[1] of Sidra* Beha'alotecha*, "when you light the lamps"[2], which will be read during the Shabbat* preceding this celebration.

The Admur Hazaken*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, founder of Chabad*, explains that the lighting of the Menorah*, in a concrete way, in the daily life of every Jew, is that of the soul, which is compared to a candelabrum and a candle, as it says[3]: "the candle of Hashem is the soul of man"[2], through the clarity of Torah* and Mitsvot*[4], "the candle is a Mitsva* and the Torah* is a light"[2].

The Menorah* had seven branches and seven lights, corresponding to the seven categories of Jews who serve Hashem in different ways — through love, through fear, by studying Torah* and in other ways as well — as the Likkutei Torah*[2] explains precisely, in the Parasha* Beha'alotecha*.

This underscores the obligation incumbent upon every Jew not only to light his own light — his soul — through the clarity of Torah* and Mitsvot*, to make his own home a Sanctuary and Temple for the divine Presence, but also to help every Jew to ignite the spark of Judaism he carries in his soul, to illuminate all Jewish homes, of all categories, so that they may be fitting receptacles for the divine Presence and may fulfill the Will of Hashem and His Injunction[5]: "I will dwell among them"[2], each of them in particular[6].

The Yeshiva* Achei Temimim of Newark is a Sanctuary and a small Temple[7], in which the souls of Jewish children are illuminated by the clarity of Torah* and Mitsvot*. But there are still many Jewish children, young souls, who must be lit and who must shine. Therefore, it is very important that this Yeshiva* be able not only to strengthen its activities, but also to expand its means, so that its capacity to receive students may be as great as possible.

Great is the merit of all the families and all the friends who participate in the strengthening and development of the Yeshiva*. May Hashem grant success to each of you in this important undertaking, as well as in your personal needs, both material and spiritual. With my respects, my blessing for success, as well as to give me good news,

M. Schneerson

Notes

(1) See the following letter.
(2) The Rebbe emphasizes the words: "when you light the lamps," "the candle of Hashem is the soul of man," "the candle is a Mitsva and the Torah is a light," "Likkutei Torah" and "I will dwell among them."
(3) Proverbs 20:27.
(4) Proverbs 6:23.
(5) Terumah 25:8. See the Reshit Chochmah*, Gate of Love, at the beginning of chapter 6.
(6) See, notably, the commentary of the Alshech on this verse and the Shnei Luchot HaBrit*, p. 69a.
(7) See the Torat Menachem*, Hitvaaduyot, vol. 4, p. 228 and in the references cited therein.