7135 —חנוכה, הוספת אור, והארת הנשמה

B"H, the days of Chanukah, 5720.

Brooklyn, NY. The two-hundredth year since the passing (yahrzeit) of the Baal Shem Tov z"l.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from Motzaei Shabbat. May it be G‑d's will that the content and inspiration of these days of Chanukah—which are about lighting the candles, candles that are forever, facing the menorah, and all blessings that never cease (see Ramban at the beginning of Parshat Behaalotecha), and according to Beit Hillel we increase and add more light—so too should it be in your holy activities throughout the year: to increase in Ner Mitzvah and Torah Or (the candle of mitzvah and light of Torah), and in "Ner Hashem Nishmat Adam" (the candle of G‑d is the soul of man) for yourself and for others, with joy. May these actions be infused with light and vitality of the soul, illuminated by the inner light of His Torah which is drawn from the innermost essence of His infinite light (see Iggeret HaKodesh by our master and teacher Rabbi Sholom Dovber n"a, printed in Hayom Yom for 19 Kislev).

With blessings for good news in all mentioned above and for a joyous Chanukah,

M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Chanukah inspires us to continually increase in spiritual light—through mitzvos, Torah study, and illuminating our own souls as well as others—with joy and inner vitality drawn from the deepest levels of G‑dliness.