8640 —הלימוד של מזוזה לתלמידים מסיימים ולמשפחותיהם

B"H, Sunday of Parshas Korach, 5723.

Brooklyn, NY.

The 150th year since the passing-hilulah of Rabbeinu HaZaken. To the students of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch for the Siyum celebration, Montreal, may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

For the Siyum celebration fast day, the 4th of Tammuz—the month of redemption of the Rebbe Rayatz—may it come speedily, I send my blessing to the graduating students and their parents, to the heads of the yeshivah and administration, and to all participants in this joy of Torah.

It is hardly necessary to emphasize that the inner intent of a "siyum" in matters of Torah and mitzvos is that it should serve as preparation for a new beginning and transition to a higher level in Torah study and mitzvah observance in daily life.

At the beginning of this week's parsha we are told about Korach's dispute with Moshe Rabbeinu. In Midrash our Sages tell various details about this; every detail in Torah is also Torah—meaning instruction and lesson. One such detail is that Korach asked Moshe Rabbeinu if a house full of sefarim also needs a mezuzah on its door. Korach argued that a house filled with holy books surely has much more than just the two passages found in a mezuzah; therefore a mezuzah would be superfluous. But Moshe Rabbeinu replied that even such a house still requires a mezuzah on its door.

The lesson from this—which is especially important for graduating students—is: When a student from an institution dedicated to holiness reaches the level of "siyum," he might think he is already like "a house full of holy books" and exempt from needing a "mezuzah." He is told that even at such a level one must first have the protection and safeguarding of a "mezuzah" on the doors of his mind and heart.

The content of a mezuzah is the two passages Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa ("Hear O Israel..." and "And it will be if you listen..."). This shows that whether at home or going out into the street, a Jew must always remember that he—and all he possesses—belongs to Hashem: Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad ("the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One"). From this comes immediate fulfillment—Vehaya Im Shamoa Tishme'u ("And it will be if you listen...")—to fulfill Hashem's commandment and conduct oneself according to His will in every detail of daily life.

This is what a graduating student must remember: although Torah study outweighs everything else, and he has succeeded in learning Torah, it is not enough for knowledge to remain only in his head like books on a shelf. The main thing is that Torah should penetrate both mind and heart—thoughts and feelings—until it descends into every detail of daily life through mitzvah observance with beauty and joy.

May Hashem grant that each student of Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch should be at the level of "a house full of holiness," specifically with a kosher "mezuzah" on the doors of his mind and heart; so wherever he finds himself or goes it should be evident: Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad ("the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One")—permeated with love for Hashem, love for Torah, and love for Israel—all as one. Then surely will be fulfilled V'nasati Matar Artzechem B'ito v'gomer ("I will give your land's rain in its season etc.")—all G‑dly blessings enumerated in this parsha—in both materiality and spirituality together.

Blessings for outstanding success and good news.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that spiritual achievement must lead to further growth; even those who have learned much need ongoing protection through mitzvos like mezuzah. True accomplishment means letting Torah permeate both thought and feeling so it shapes every aspect of daily life.