By the Grace of G-d
Erev-Shabbos Parshas Achrei kedoshim, 5734
Brooklyn N. Y.
To All Participants in the Institute for Brides and Grooms Oak Park, Michigan
Blessing and Greeting:
I was pleased to be informed about the resumption of your annual series of lectures on the basic Jewish concepts affecting brides and grooms. May G-d grant that the sessions should be carried out with the utmost Hatzlocho and effectiveness.
In accordance with the old Jewish custom to relate current events to the weekly Sedra, we are now reading in the Torah about the concept of holiness. Indeed, the Sedra Kedoshim begins with the Divine command, "You shall be holy, for I, G-d your G-d, am holy."
This clearly brings out the point of what is expected of Jews, namely, to advance on the road of holiness to such an extent as to attain such a high level of holiness which is almost like G-d’s Holiness. At the same time, these very words also explain how it is possible for a human being to attain such a high level of holiness. The answer is, "For I, G-d your G-d, am holy." In other words, it is of G-d's Holiness that you partake, and what makes it possible is that every Jew has a soul which is "actually a part of G-dliness Above."
Such holiness is attained through the observance of the holy Mitzvoth in general, as explained in the Tanya (ch. 46). But it is particularly connected with the Mitzvo of Taharas Hamishpocho, the purity and holiness of the Jewish family, as can also be deduced from the commentaries of our Sages on the said verse.
While, no doubt, these concepts will surely be fully discussed at your sessions, you will of course put the proper emphasis on the actual observance of the Mitzvoth, in accordance with the principle of our Sages that the "essential thing is the deed."
With blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings in all above
M. Schneerson
