115 —נרות חנוכה, חינוך יהודי, והפצת חומרי תורה

B"H, 10 Kislev 5704.

Honored and esteemed one, active community worker etc. R' Avraham Feigelstock.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

We were happy to hear that as before you are engaged in your new place of residence in strengthening Torah and Judaism, and that you have likely already heard somewhat about the work of "Machane Yisrael" and the "Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch" in general, and especially about the books and reading material published by our Kehot Publishing House. Already before last Pesach we sent you samples of our various booklets, and it is surprising that you have not yet confirmed their receipt. We are attaching here a list of our publications so that you can choose what you need; by informing us of the required quantity we will send them to you G‑d willing.

Institutions involved in Jewish education who wish to distribute our materials can receive a ten percent (10%) discount and are exempt from shipping costs—which amount to a significant sum—to their country; or they may receive a twenty-five percent (25%) discount if they cover shipping themselves.

I will conclude with a thought connected to this new month’s mitzvah—Hanukkah candles: We find three mitzvot involving candles: the candles of the Beit HaMikdash, Shabbat candles, and Hanukkah candles. Some differences between them: The Beit HaMikdash candles illuminated only within the sanctuary but ceased with its destruction. Shabbat candles are still obligatory today but their function is to illuminate within a Jewish home. Hanukkah candles add something further—not only do they exist always (see Ramban on Torah at the beginning of Behaalotecha), but they are also meant to illuminate outside in the public domain (and the hint is understood), requiring pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle), for ultimately Hashem delivers the impure into the hands of the pure and the wicked into the hands of those who occupy themselves with Torah. It is ruled that even someone living in an attic (and this alludes to serving one's Creator—‘I have seen people of ascent [bnei aliyah] but they are few’—Sukkah 45b—for their service is on a very high level) who has no entrance facing outward (meaning he has no connection with commerce or worldly matters at all), nevertheless he too must illuminate outward by placing Hanukkah candles at least in his window.

With hope to remain in constant correspondence with you, and with blessings for immediate teshuvah and immediate redemption.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages spreading Torah materials widely, highlighting how Hanukkah teaches us to bring light not only into our own homes but also into public spaces—even those spiritually elevated must reach outwards. Jewish education should be accessible everywhere.