By the Grace of G-d
1 Adar, 5740
Brooklyn, N.Y.
To All Participants in the
Chasidic Concert National Tour
Sponsored by the Lubavitch Foundation
Johannesburg, RSA
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to be informed about the forthcoming tour of “Chassidic Soul Concerts” in various cities, in the period between Purim and Rosh Chodesh Nissan.
I trust that in light of the well known adage, “Neginah (melody) is the quill of the heart,” and bearing in mind that “the essential thing is the deed,” which our Sages so often emphasized, these concerts will make the most of the said two teachings in harmonious combination — to touch the hearts and souls of the audiences and participants and inspire them to strengthen their commitment to Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvoth, in the everyday life.
Indeed, the classical Chassidic nigunim of our Rebbes have the quality of arousing the so-called “Pintele Yid” in the heart of every Jew, the true essence of a Jew, of which our Holy Scriptures speak in terms of “I sleep, but my heart is awake” (Song of Songs 5:3), meaning, as our Sages explain, that though a Jew may be “asleep” in Golus, his heart is always awake to Torah and Mitzvoth.
But with all the importance of a Jewish heart and Jewish feelings, (“G-d desires the heart”) – the real value of an emotional experience is in it being translated into action in terms of actual Jewish living.
Being in Golus, as the story of Purim reminds us, “spread and scattered among the nations,” the Jewish people remain “one people,” the “people of Mordechai,” “who would not kneel nor bow down” to anything that is contrary to the Jewish way of life. It is this firm stand that brought about Haman’s downfall, and “for the Jews there was light, joy, gladness, and honor.” And following in their footsteps we may confidently add, “So will it be for us.”
Since Purim is followed by Pesach, “to bring one Geulo close to the other Geulo,” may we soon see the fulfilment of the Divine promise, “As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt I will show you wonders” – at the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
With blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings,
M. Schneerson
