9663 —פורים, אחדות ישראל, ושליחות ישיבת תומכי תמימים מונטריאול

B"H, Shushan Purim, 5729.

Brooklyn, NY.

To the 27th annual banquet of the "Netzivei HaYeshivah" Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch in Montreal. May Hashem be upon them for life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

The annual banquet of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, which takes place just days after Purim, will surely reflect the spirit of Purim—a time with a special connection to this event.

Haman's decree was tied to his claim: 'Yeshno am echad mefuzar u'meforad bein ha'amim . . v'dateihem shonot mikol am' (There is one nation scattered and separated among the nations . . and their laws differ from every people)—that there is one people dispersed and divided among the nations . . and their laws are different from every nation.

Haman argued that because Jews are separate, do not mix into the surrounding society, and keep their own laws, it is bad for the country and also bad for the Jews themselves.

The outcome was exactly the opposite: salvation came not by changing the character and essence of Jews or Judaism but specifically by strengthening Jewish unity and distinctiveness—'yeshno am echad' (there is one nation) and 'v'dateihem shonot' (and their laws are different).

This not only preserved the Jewish people but also brought elevation to all of Achashverosh's provinces when leadership was handed over to Mordechai HaYehudi—the Jew who neither bows nor prostrates himself ('lo yichra v'lo yishtachaveh').

The clear lesson is that when Jews are in exile, scattered among other nations, one must never think that by giving up Jewish distinctiveness or way of life and imitating those around us we will secure our own situation or help society at large. The truth is exactly the opposite: preserving Jewish uniqueness—specifically through 'dateihem shonot' (their laws are different)—and living daily life in harmony with the eternal laws and values of our holy Torah is the only way to ensure Jewish continuity—and incidentally also to earn trust and respect from other nations.

It is understood that in order to maintain this complete Jewish independence while being a small minority in an overwhelming—and often unfriendly—environment requires strength of character up to mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice), as was true in Purim times.

Therefore it is a vital necessity to begin developing this true Jewish spirit from early youth. This is also the mission of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch in Montreal—to educate students in this spirit up to mesiras nefesh so they will be temimim—whole Jews in body, spirit, and soul life. In this lies their true happiness—and consequently also happiness for their parents, for all Israel, and for their entire environment.

May Hashem Yisbarach grant success to this annual endeavor both materially and spiritually together.

Blessings for success in all mentioned above and for good news,

M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that maintaining strong Jewish identity—even as a minority—is crucial for both personal fulfillment and communal respect. He highlights Tomchei Temimim Montreal's role in fostering this spirit from youth through education rooted in Torah values.