6211 —בניית מוסדות תורה עם כל משאביך

B"H, Monday of Iyar, Tiferes Sheb'Tiferes, 5718.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

To all participants in the laying of the cornerstone of the "Tomchei Temimim" building in Kfar Chabad and to all our brothers among the Jewish people who love Torah and mitzvah—may Hashem be upon them and grant them life—abundant peace and blessing!

For the laying of the cornerstone of the central building of the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah in our holy land—may it be built and established speedily in our days by Moshiach Tzidkeinu—I am sending my heartfelt and soulful blessing to all those participating in this great mitzvah celebration: those present at the laying of the cornerstone as well as those who participated in its preparations and made it possible.

My hope is that each person's participation will be complete now and in the future—participation with their money, their body, and their soul: With their money—literally—to donate for building construction with the greatest possible sums; with their body—to strive and exert themselves as much as needed to be among those who act and also inspire others to participate; with their soul—even if it seems that involvement in this mitzvah will temporarily reduce one's Torah study or similar pursuits. For this is generosity of the soul: sacrificing some personal spiritual growth to establish a building and institution for communal Torah study.

Furthermore, there is a promise: "Aser bishvil shetitasher" (Tithe so that you may become wealthy), for whatever one may not add now in personal learning will increase through communal Torah learning and dissemination—which he also acquires a share in through his efforts. The charity of "Zevulun" enabling "Yissachar's" Torah is not just charity—it grants him a share in Yissachar's Torah as well.

If everywhere Torah study is great—for it equals them all—how much more so in our holy land, a land where "the eyes of Hashem your G‑d are upon it from the beginning of the year to its end," especially in Kfar Chabad which was founded by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal nishmaso Eden (of blessed memory), who gave his life for spreading both revealed and inner Torah—a complete Torah—and imparted his spirit upon Tomchei Temimim students and upon this place—the village—to engage in Torah with devotion, vitality, and light.

Merit is brought about on days of merit—the days of Sefirah—the days of preparation and longing for receiving the Torah. As our Sages say: When Moshe told them "Ta'avdun es haElokim al hahar hazeh" (You will serve G‑d on this mountain), Israel asked him: Moshe Rabbeinu, when will this service be? He replied: At the end of fifty days. Each person counted for himself; from here Chazal established counting... Fifty days are counted toward rejoicing with the Torah.

I hope that this auspicious time will arouse and strengthen within each person love for Torah and its matters—and from this will come increased action, as described above, in building and establishing this fortress of Torah—the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah in Kfar Chabad.

Through these deeds and efforts—raising money from worldly matters and dedicating it to complete Torah (both revealed and inner) and its institutions—not spending all our days only on bodily needs but sitting free to learn wisdom and do mitzvos—our actions will bring closer and usher in the true redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu: The era when he will compel all Israel to follow both Written and Oral Torah, wage Hashem's battles, everyone will be devoted solely to knowing Hashem.

With honor and abundant blessings for success in your special endeavor—and generally in spreading Chassidus (until it reaches) outward.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true building of Torah institutions requires wholehearted investment—money, effort, even spiritual sacrifice. By dedicating all we have to communal Torah growth, we merit personal blessing and help bring about redemption for all Israel.