8982 —המשמעות העמוקה של פסח, שבועות ועיבור שנה

B"H, Eve of Shabbos Mevarchim Chodesh Sivan, 5725.

Brooklyn, NY.

To all participants in the annual dinner of Yeshivas "Achei Temimim" Lubavitch in Newark — may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

This year's annual dinner takes place during the week of Shavuos, the time of the giving of our Torah — which is the ultimate purpose of the Exodus from Egypt. These mentioned festivals, Pesach and Shavuos, mark two closely connected historical events that shaped our eternal nation. Their inner and ever-relevant meaning is that they bring into our personal daily lives the experiences and revivals associated with these events — for every Jew, in every place and at every time.

The point is that "Yetzias Mitzrayim" — liberation from bondage, whether from internal enslavement to one's own human nature or from external enslavement to one's environment — can only be achieved through Torah and mitzvos, which illuminate the daily path of both individuals and the community.

This year adds another point: since it is a leap year. The purpose of a leap year is to ensure that the festivals fall at their proper times; first and foremost Pesach (which then ensures Shavuos — "the fiftieth day of counting" — also falls at its correct time), as well as all other festivals.

But like all matters in Torah, which have countless explanations and lessons because Torah is infinite like its Giver Who is Ein Sof blessed be He, so too with the concept of a leap year. One lesson is that a Jew must master his time and regulate it in harmony with Torah.

Even worldly matters such as sowing and harvesting (Pesach being barley harvest season; Shavuos — wheat harvest), etc., must be connected to "Yetzias Mitzrayim" — not being enslaved to the world or nature but rather mastering them with the power of Torah and mitzvos that Hashem has given to Jews.

Moreover: if one missed something in past times, not only can it be made up for, but one can even prepare doubly for the future — as also hinted by the concept of a leap year (with its added month of Adar).

May Hashem grant that this year's annual dinner will express these mentioned ideas for each participant and their families; strengthening the foundations of Torah and mitzvos at home and in their surroundings, especially by strengthening and expanding Yeshivas Achei Temimim in your city.

With greetings to all honored guests and participants — may they live — and with blessings for success and good tidings.

Summary

Peshach and Shavuos teach us about true freedom through Torah and mitzvos. The leap year reminds us to master our time according to Torah values. Every Jew can bring these lessons into daily life by strengthening personal commitment to Torah at home and in community.