613 —קבלת התורה יום יום והשליחות להאיר את הגלות

B"H, Shalom u'Vrachah!

On this day last year, or in the words of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m: "On Friday, Erev Shabbat Kodesh after midday for Parshas Ki Savo el HaAretz etc., v'Shavsa HaAretz Shabbos LaHashem (and the land shall rest a Sabbath for Hashem)," he wrote to Anash and the students settling in Eretz HaKodesh. After informing them that "I have instructed the leadership of 'Merkaz L'Inyanei Chinuch' to send you a Sefer Torah," he wrote that receiving the Sefer Torah should be for you "a constant memorial in your minds and hearts, to arrange all your personal and communal lives according to Torah, as our holy ancestors taught us. To educate your sons and daughters in its path without compromise, and to impart its spirit—the spirit of Yisrael Saba—upon your fellow Jews, both near and far for now, by influencing them to guide them on the path ascending to Beis Kel—that is, learning Torah with awe of Heaven and performing mitzvos with beauty. This should come from genuine closeness born of Ahavas Yisrael and chassidic character traits based on the words of the living G‑d. Each one of you should be a candle illuminating the darkness of exile that you and we are in with Hashem's light until Hashem fulfills His promise through His holy prophets to let us hear the voice announcing salvation: 'For Hashem has comforted His people,' and 'Hashem goes before us to gather our exiles and redeem us with eternal redemption.'"

And indeed, every single day we receive the Torah anew, and each day we bless 'the Giver of the Torah,' Who gives it to us every day; this is especially so on Shavuos—the season of the giving of our Torah for the entire year. On this holiday and during its surrounding days we must reflect even more deeply on these teachings cited above—reflection that leads to good action throughout the year in all matters mentioned in his letter.

And let us always hear in our ears, minds, and hearts the call of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m, coming from his innermost soul: "What are we waiting for? We are delaying the redemption; it is already Erev Shabbat after midday."

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that receiving the Torah is a daily experience meant to guide every aspect of life. By living according to Torah values without compromise and influencing others positively with love and chassidic character traits, we become lights dispelling exile's darkness.