7294 —תמיכה בדינר השנתי של ישיבת נוארק ומורשת הבעל שם טוב

B"H, Sunday of Parshas Emor Va'Amarta.

Brooklyn, NY.

Lehazhir Gedolim Al HaKetanin. 5720.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I send my greetings and blessings to all the honored guests and participants, may they live and be well, at the annual dinner of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Newark. I hope that this undertaking will exceed all expectations in providing the necessary support—both spiritual and financial—through the special efforts of all friends of the Yeshiva.

This year is a particularly auspicious one for institutions dedicated to education al taharas hakodesh (in purity and holiness), both in revealed Torah and Chassidus together. It marks two hundred years since the passing-hilulah of the holy Baal Shem Tov (on the first day of Shavuos, Zman Matan Toraseinu), founder of general Chassidus, who is also the spiritual "grandfather" of the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch—the founder of Chabad Chassidus—may their merit protect us.

The Baal Shem Tov’s first activity—even before he was revealed—was as a helper: teaching small children the holy letters of Alef-Beis, blessings and prayers, Amen Yehei Shmei Rabbah, Barechu and Kedusha. At the same time he established great students and Torah geniuses in both Torah and Chassidus to bring light into the darkness of exile in those generations known as Ikvesa D'Meshicha (the footsteps before Moshiach).

The Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Newark—like many other Lubavitcher institutions dedicated to pure Torah learning—is part of that golden chain stretching from the Baal Shem Tov onward. Here are united both foundational points of his approach: education al taharas hakodesh from early childhood—from the young ones—in such a way that they later become true gedolim (great ones), who fulfill Gadol Hashem U'Mehulal Me'od (Great is Hashem and exceedingly praised) by spreading Torah and mitzvos with foundations in Ahavas Hashem (love of G‑d), Ahavas HaTorah (love of Torah), and Ahavas Yisrael (love for fellow Jews).

To accomplish this requires first "lehazhir gedolim al haktanim"—that adults, parents, community leaders, and friends of the Yeshiva give it and its students every opportunity to grow, advance, and become what they are meant to be: nerot le'ha'ir—shining lights that illuminate their entire surroundings.

With blessings for success materially and spiritually,
With honor,
M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that supporting Jewish education connects us to a golden chain beginning with the Baal Shem Tov. By empowering both children and adults to grow in Torah and mitzvos with love for G‑d, Torah, and fellow Jews, we illuminate our communities.