Lasting impressions from the Lubavitch visitors; Judaism is an all-encompassing religion; a time to rectify past failures
By the Grace of G-d
17th of Elul, 5734
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. . . .
Panama1, R. de P.
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to receive your letter in which you write about the good work which had been done by our representatives who visited your community.
It is surely unnecessary to emphasize to you the well known saying of our Sages that, “the essential thing is the deed.” Therefore, I hope and trust that the good impressions which the young men left in your community will be translated into actual deeds, namely the fulfillment of the mitzvot in the daily life. And inasmuch as we are speaking here of matters of Torah of which it is written, “it is our life and the length of our days,” and it is further called Toras Chayim, being our true guide in our daily life — it is clear that the Torah is not something which is to be observed on special days of the year, such as the forthcoming High Holidays, nor is it sufficient to observe it one day in the week, on the holy Shabbos. For, since it is our very life, it is like life itself which must be continuous and uninterrupted. And although there can be certain changes in regard to the intensity and feeling in which the Torah life is expressed during weekdays and Shabbos and Yom Tov, nevertheless each and every day of the year has to be permeated with the spirit of the Torah and the observance of the mitzvot.
The present time of the year is particularly auspicious for the above, inasmuch as this [is] the time when people draw a balance sheet regarding the outgoing year, with a view to starting off the new year on a better course, better not only in the sense of avoiding repetition of past failures, but also in making up for past deficiencies.
I will appreciate if you will be good enough to convey the above thoughts to your entire community, together with my heartfelt blessing for a Kesivo va’Chasimo Tovo, for a good and pleasant year, to each and all, both materially and spiritually.
With esteem and blessing,
