By the Grace of G-d
3rd of Tammuz, 5741 [July 5, 1981]
Brooklyn, N.Y.
To All Participants in the Annual Bais Chana Scholarship Dinner Minnesota
I was gratified to note that the forthcoming Annual Dinner will take place on the 10th of Tammuz, during the auspicious days between the 3rd and 12th-13th of Tammuz, the anniversary of the liberation of my father-in-law of saintly memory from imprisonment in Soviet Russia, for his extensive activities to strengthen and spread Yiddishkeit in that country in defiance of the regime.
The point that is particularly pertinent to the Dinner is the fact that the main reason for his arrest and threat to his life was his special dedication to the Torah education of Jewish children, and this was the only way to preserve Jewish identity and Jewish existence, which the regime endeavored to obliterate. But it is also precisely because of it that Hashem granted him a miraculous Geulo, which not only saved his life but also enabled him to expand his activities for Jewish education and general strengthening of Yiddishkeit on an even greater scale than before.
The obvious lesson for every one of us is that if in the circumstances prevailing in that country at that time it required real Mesiras Nefesh to work for Torah education and Yiddishkeit, no such price is demanded of all of us living in a free country and conducive circumstances. All that is required of us here is to have the good will and determination to take advantage of the happy circumstances and support such vital institutions as Bais Chana financially and through personal involvement.
I trust that each and all of you will indeed give this institution your most generous support in every possible way, in order not merely to carry on its vital work, but also to enable it to expand and grow to meet the challenges of the present day and age.
Wishing you Hatzlocho and the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good, materially and spiritually.
With esteem and blessing,
By the Grace of G-d
15th of Tammuz, 5744
Brooklyn, N.Y.
To All Participants in the Event in Honor of Rabbi Sholom Posner
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming event of a well deserved tribute to Rabbi Sholom Posner for over four decades of service to the Pittsburgh Jewish community, and particularly as the head of the Torah institutions founded by, and conducted in the spirit of, my father-in-law, the Rebbe of saintly memory, whose Geulo anniversary we have just observed on the 12-13th of Tammuz.
It is well to bear in mind the words of the Baal HaGeulo on the occasion of the first anniversary of his Geulo that the Geulo was not a personal one, but is related to everyone who pursues the way of the Torah and is active in spreading and strengthening Yiddishkeit.
Therefore, the Geulo anniversary is a source of inspiration for all of us to redouble our efforts in this direction, especially in the most vital area of Torah education, remembering the basic lesson of his experiences that when a Jew is firmly determined to live up to his, or her, commitment to Torah and Yiddishkeit, all difficulties are bound to be overcome. Moreover, everyone who follows in the footsteps of the Baal HeGeulo is assured of his prayer and blessing of Hatzlocho.
With prayerful wishes for Hatzlocho in all above, and
With esteem and blessing,
M. Schneerson
