Parshas Emor emphasizes the obligation to educate the younger generation; a responsibility that demands utmost caution and commitment yet comes with Divine empowerment to succeed.
Free Rendition
By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Iyar, 5740
Brooklyn, N.Y.
To All Participants in the Annual Dinner of Oholei Torah
G-d bless you all!
Greeting and Blessing:
On the occasion of the forthcoming Annual Dinner, on the first day of the week of Parshas Emor, I extend greetings and prayerful wishes to the Honored Guests and all participants in this event. May G-d grant that it should have a full measure of Hatzlocho in all respects.
There is the well-known teaching of our Sages of blessed memory, explaining the apparent redundancy in the opening verse of the Parshah: Emor...v’omarto (“Speak. . . and say”). This means, explain our Sages: “Caution the elders in behalf of the youngsters”—which emphasizes the immense responsibility of adults, particularly parents, for the proper education of Jewish children. And if the matter of Jewish education has always demanded the utmost caution and care, how much more so in the present day and age.
At the same time it is self-evident that since this is a Divine imperative, and precisely because Jewish education is a responsibility of the highest order, G-d certainly provides the special capacities necessary to carry out this responsibility in the fullest measure. Indeed, even when one makes a commitment in this connection, which is seemingly overly ambitious, there is the assurance that G-d opens new channels to help carry out also such a commitment. All the more so, since it is for the benefit of the young ones who must depend on the support of the adults; and these youngsters will in due course become adults themselves, and will have the responsibility of caring for the education of the young ones of the next generation.
This basic principle of Jewish education characterizes the very purpose, as well as achievements, of the educational institution “Oholei Torah,” where the students receive their Torah education in a most conducive and dedicated atmosphere, in keeping with the said Divine imperative. Thus, when they reach maturity — in the fullest sense, they, too, will implement the same responsibility and dedication to the young ones; and everyone who had a share in their education will proudly be able to say: “See the plants I have raised”— in regard to them, their children, and children’s children to all posterity.
I trust and am confident that all friends of “Oholei Torah” — since everyone comes under the imperative of “Caution the elders in behalf of the youngsters” — will respond with a warm heart and open hand to the needs of this precious educational institution, not merely to enable it [to] carry on its vital work, but also to expand its facilities to accommodate more and more students — youngsters that will become real adults, as said above. And great indeed is the Zechus of all supporters and active friends of this institution to merit G-d’s blessings” from His full, open, holy, and ample Hand,” in all needs, materially and spiritually.
With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho and happy tidings,
/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/
