As you know, the word L’chaim means to life. This week, we celebrate the 1800th issue of the L’chaim publication. Indeed, over the years this publication has reached thousands around the world. This week’s L’chaim celebrates the incredible Chabad Yeshiva students who lovingly visit thousands of people each week distributing the L’chaim publication, encouraging people to perform a Mitzvah, add in acts of goodness and kindness, bringing more light to the world. This issue also celebrates the institutions who distribute and share its beautiful content to our many readers from around the world, from all walks of life. This issue is a monumental milestone for the L’chaim publication, for it has been and will continue to be a source of guidance and weekly inspiration to countless people from across the globe. Many have benefited from its invaluable content which provides practical implications for one’s daily life.
But the word L’chaim – to life – takes on a far deeper and additional meaning than the aforementioned. The Torah itself is called Toras Chaim, a Torah of life. Which is highlighted in the blessing we say when called up to the Torah: “Who has given us the Torah of truth and has planted eternal life within us.” Our sages teach us that true life by definition is eternal. It is only through connecting to Him that we too become eternal. While physical life is temporary, the soul being a part of G-d is eternal. We achieve this through the study of Torah and the performance of Mitzvot. It is our calling and mandate to always grow in all matters related to the soul and life’s purpose, creating the perfect harmony between the physical and spiritual.
Even in challenging times or perhaps mostly in these times, the light of Torah has always been our hope and strength, this is true throughout our history. Within the Torah itself, the inner and deeper part has the greatest light which behooves us to seek out its meaning and what lies beneath the surface.
This, dear reader, is what the L’chaim publication has done for over three decades. Through the teachings of the Rebbe, its spiritual and mystical insights, as well as through the Slice of Life covering human interest stories, timely and relevant topics, in addition to the Rebbe’s letters which have provided illumination and guidance to so many, the L’chaim continues to be a source of inspiration everywhere.
In conclusion, the Baal Shem Tov famously wrote that his soul elevated and entered the chamber of Moshiach and asked, “When will the master come?” The answer: “When your wellsprings shall spread outwardly [the world over].” The L’chaim continues to bring this special light to the world, and we look forward to saying the ultimate L’chaim – to life – with the coming of Moshiach may it be now.
