5950 —הדלקת הדרך לצמיחה רוחנית בימי חנוכה

B"H, 25 Kislev, 5718. Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z rav pe'alim Moshe Yitzchok Hecht and his wife the Rebbetzin Mrs. Rivkah. Shalom u'Vrachah!

It was with pleasure that I received your letter from the first night of Chanukah along with its enclosure.

May it be G‑d's will that for many more years you will be involved in matters of Torah and mitzvos with abundance and in a manner of expansiveness, as it is written: "Ve'eshalcha b'rechavah" ("I will walk in broad places"), and as is taught by these days of Chanukah—to increase and add from day to day.

Even though outside the sun has set, not only did the Jewish people have light in their dwellings, but they were also given the strength and ability to light a candle at the entrance of their house facing outward—and to add even more—until they reach the goal. As explained in Chassidus from our Sages' words that the measure for Chanukah candles is "ad d'khlei ragla d'Tarmodai" (Shabbos 23b)—that through their conduct as described above, Jewish men and women eliminate even the lowest levels (ragla = foot) of Tarmodai—letters spelling "moredes," rebellious—against Hashem, His Moshiach, His Torah, and His mitzvos—which was also the matter of Tarmod at that time when their hand was strong, as brought by our Sages.

If about every individual my father-in-law the Rebbe said that one person is like many—that is, he can influence many to elevate them from level to level and from strength to strength—how much more so those whom Divine Providence has placed in the field of education on pure holiness, upon whom many depend; they are worthy of special success in both their general and specific matters. As indicated by the verse associated with Yud Tes Kislev: "Padeh v'shalom nafshi mikrav li ki b'rabim hayu imadi" (He redeemed my soul in peace from battles against me because many were with me), meaning that redemption in their affairs—since many depend on them—should be with true peace: peace materially and peace spiritually.

With blessings for success in all of the above and for good news in all of the above.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that just as Chanukah inspires us to add light even when darkness prevails outside, so too should educators and leaders continually expand their positive influence—uplifting themselves and others materially and spiritually through persistent growth.