By the Grace of G-d 20th of Kislev, 5719 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

Although I have not heard from you since you left, nevertheless I have inquired about you and was pleased to receive indirect regards from you that all is well with you and your wife.

I trust you duly received my letter and good wishes for the New Year.

Yesterday we celebrated Yud-Tes Kislev, the Redemption of the Old Rebbe, the Founder of Chabad, and together with him the triumph of all matters connected with Chabad. The day inspires every one of us to greater efforts in living up to the concepts of Chabad, the basis of which is the love of G-d, love of the Torah, and the love of our fellow-Jews, all of which is truly one.¹ This is connected with the basic teachings of Chabad, requiring every one of us to do our utmost to bring our fellow-Jews closer to G-d and to the Torah and Mitzvoth, in their purest form, without compromise or concession, though the approach to each individual may differ in accordance with his spiritual state and background. One cannot expect a Jew who has drifted from the Jewish way of life to transform himself 100% suddenly, and it is necessary to bring him closer to G-d by stages, yet we have to present to him the true aspects of our Torah and Mitzvoth and not in any diluted form. It is only then that the Jew is responsive to the truth, as is the well-known saying of the Old Rebbe, the Founder of Chabad, that “No Jew wishes, nor can he, sever himself from G-d.”²

The 19th of Kislev, therefore, reminds us every year of these basic principles, and inspires us towards their fulfillment.

I knew your late father of blessed memory,³ and I also had the opportunity later to meet with you and your wife when you visited here. My personal knowledge of the members of your family gives me every confidence that every one of you will do your utmost to work for the spreading of the Torah and Mitzvoth in your community, in the spirit of the Founder of Chabad, and his teachings. The work of Chabad in every field of Jewish endeavor has always been on a non-party basis and not confined to any particular group, but embraces all our fellow-Jews. It is because of this that it has remained free from outside influences and pressure, and it is because of this that it has succeeded so well, with the help of G-d.

Knowing also of the reverence and esteem in which you hold the memory of your late father and mother, peace to their souls, I am confident that you will not only consistently work for the support of the Yeshiva and the Beth Rivka, of which your father was the founder, but will steadily increase your efforts. This is also the message and significance of the lights of Chanukah which increase in number each day, symbolizing the need of steady advancement in spreading the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth. For the Torah and Mitzvoth are called "The Light of G-d,"³ and so is the soul called "The Candle of G-d,"⁴ and the increase of the light of the former is reflected in a corresponding increase in the light of the latter.

Wishing you and your wife and all the members of your family an inspiring Chanukah, and

With regards and blessing,