Message to Incarcerated Jews: The ability to always remain positive and confident of imminent good
By the Grace of G-d
In the Month of Kislev,
In the Days before Chanukah, 5739.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
To the Sons and Daughters of our people Israel Who are, at present, in Correctional Institutions
Greeting and Blessing:
With the approach of Chanukah, bringing blessing to all our Jewish people, I extend to each and all of you prayerful wishes for a bright and happy Chanukah. This is also to acknowledge receipt of your letters, and to respond to the request of many of you for a word of encouragement and hope. For various reasons it is impossible to reply to each one individually, which you will surely excuse.
The Mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah Lights is unique in that it becomes due immediately “after sunset,” prior to the other observances connected with Chanukah (special prayers, etc.). This pointedly emphasizes the concept of “light” in human life in general, and in a time of crisis — “after sunset” — in particular.
Although man was, of course, created to be free in all his affairs, with freedom of will and freedom of action, including personal freedom in the ordinary sense, without being subjected to external constraints even for a short period of time — the real bright light in human life is the ability to see the right path in life, and follow it faithfully in terms of daily conduct, filling it with all that is bright and good, in a state of consistent inner peace and tranquility. This has to do, and is dependent upon, a person’s world outlook, including a full measure of Bitachon (trust) in G-d, the Creator and Master of the world, which has to be expressed in appropriate conduct, in actual practice, for the essential thing is the deed.
And this is largely up [to] the person himself, regardless of circumstances. For it is a matter of common knowledge that there are people who, considering their external circumstances, should be content and happy, yet they are not; while there are those whose external circumstances are just the opposite, yet they are at peace with themselves, are cheerful, and are strong in their confidence that the external circumstances will also change for the good very soon, the kind of good that is manifest and obvious.
Moreover, and this, too, is an essential point, this very confidence and feeling hasten and bring closer the day when the undesirable circumstances will be over and done with, if not all at once, at least gradually, and in a satisfactory manner in all respects.
I am strongly confident that the Almighty will bless each and everyone of you in your needs and will fulfill your hearts’ desires for good, particularly — to regain your freedom, in the good and proper way; freedom from all constraints and distractions, including full personal liberty in the ordinary sense,
And, at the same time, true inner freedom in the spirit of the Festival of Chanukah and the Chanukah Lights which are kindled in increasing numbers and getting ever brighter from day to day.
May G-d grant that the message of Chanukah and of the Chanukah Lights should serve as a guiding light for all our Jewish people, and for you in particular even in your present situation,
To increase and spread the light of the Torah and Mitzvos (“for a Mitzvah is a candle, and the Torah is light”) in all aspects of Yiddishkeit, and G-d, on His part, will increase His blessings to each and everyone of you, and all yours, both materially and spiritually.
With blessing for a bright Chanukah, illuminating all the coming days throughout the year,
M. Schneerson
