8718 —ההתכנסות השנתית של י"ט כסלו וכוח הגאולה האישית

B"H, Eve of Yud Tes Kislev, our redemption and the redemption of our soul, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

To all participants in the annual celebration of Merkaz HaYeshivot Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch, may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

This year's annual celebration takes place soon after Yud Tes Kislev—the day of liberation of the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, founder of Chabad. This year marks 150 years since his passing. Therefore, it is expected that all participants will come to this annual event full of enthusiasm, which should be expressed in concrete actions to fulfill the financial needs of Merkaz HaYeshivot Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch to the fullest extent.

In a well-known letter from the Alter Rebbe, he explains that the news of his liberation came to him at the moment he was holding by the verse in Tehillim (55:19): Padeh b'Shalom Nafshi ("The L‑rd has redeemed my soul in peace")—etc. This Divinely orchestrated occurrence should certainly serve as a lesson for each one of us.

For everyone must have a personal redemption from all difficulties and obstacles in daily life that hinder achieving what one must accomplish each day—both materially and spiritually.

Our Sages, of blessed memory, explain the aforementioned verse in Tehillim with these meaningful words: Amar HaKadosh Baruch Hu: Kol ha'osek baTorah u'v'gemilut chasadim u'mitpalel im haTzibur ma'aleh ani alav k'ilu pidani li u'levanai mi'bein umot ha'olam ("The Holy One says: Whoever engages in Torah study and acts of kindness and prays with the community—I consider it as if he has redeemed Me and My children from among the nations of the world") (Berachot 8a).

With this our Sages emphasize that personal redemption for every Jew—and for the Jewish people together with Hashem (so to speak)—is directly connected with Torah study, acts of kindness (mitzvot between man and fellow), and prayer (mitzvot between man and G‑d).

The annual initiative to support Yeshivot Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch provides an opportunity to have a share in all three things which unite within Lubavitcher yeshivot: Torah—both Nigleh and Pnimiyut HaTorah—which brings to love and awe of Hashem (as Rambam emphasizes at the beginning of chapter 2 Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah), as well as teaching a deeper sense of "prayer with a community"—gathering all thoughts and powers of the soul and uniting them with Hashem and with all Jews.

Through tzedakah and acts of kindness for Merkaz HaYeshivot Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch—especially on the occasion of this annual celebration—everyone becomes a partner in these three things which bring geulah u'pedut (redemption and deliverance), liberation and salvation for both individual and community.

May Hashem help that each person merit this in full measure.

Summary

This letter teaches that supporting Torah study, acts of kindness, and communal prayer not only honors our heritage but also brings about both personal and collective redemption. Enthusiastic participation in these efforts is especially significant during Yud Tes Kislev celebrations.