By the Grace of G-d
20th of Elul, 5745
Brooklyn, N. Y.
To All Participants in the Dinner Celebration of the Friends of Colel Chabad
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming Dinner Celebration on the 7th of Tishrei, 5746. I extend congratulations and prayerful wishes to the honorees, distinguished guests and all participants in this important event in behalf of Colel Chabad in the Holy Land—a most worthy cause indeed.
Inasmuch as the Dinner is taking place in the middle of the Ten Days of Teshuva, flanked by Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the participants will surely be inspired by the spirit of these holy and solemn days inaugurating our Jewish New Year. The call of the Prophet Hosea, “Return, O Israel, unto HaShem your G-d”—the theme of the Haftara on the preceding Shabbos, which gives this Shabbos its designation—Shabbos Shuva—will surely not go unheeded ו״ח.
Teshuva means “Return,” not “Repentance,” as often translated. Though repentance is an integral part of Teshuva, the overall concept is that of returning to one’s Jewish roots, one’s real essence, which is Jewishness. It is a highly spiritual and sublime concept—the return of a wavering, perhaps somewhat estranged, soul to its Heavenly Father. How is this return to be accomplished? Simply through the application of the basic principle of the Torah, namely the rule that “The essential thing is action”—the actual fulfillment of the Divine Precepts (Mitzvoth) in the everyday life and conduct.
Included in this commitment is reaching out and helping other Jews to return to HaShem, through strengthening their commitment to living Jewishly. This is something one can do immediately, and the most appropriate time to embark upon this “return journey” is now, in the Ten Days of Return.
Colel Chabad has, for nearly two centuries, maintained a network of social services and other Torah projects in the Holy Land. It is obviously a great Mitzva to support such a worthy institution, especially in the Holy Land, of which the Torah declares that “G-d’s Eyes are upon it continuously, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.”
While such a great Mitzva requires no external inducement, it has a special incentive at this time of the year in that it will add Divine blessings and enhance the Kesiva vachasima Tova—being inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year this coming Yom Kippur.
With prayerful wishes to you and all yours for a truly happy and healthy New Year, both materially and spiritually,
With esteem and blessing,
M. Schneerson
