By the Grace of G-d Erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5719, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

This year's Annual Dinner – on the second day of Shevat – takes place in close proximity to two important days in this month, which are significant for Yeshivoth in general, and for Yeshivoth Tomchei Tmimim in particular.

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On this first day of Shevat, as the Torah relates (Deut. 1:3), Moshe Rabbenu began the recitation of the Book of Devorim – Mishne Torah, (Repetition of the Torah).

The timing of the repetition of the Torah was especially significant for the Jews in that it served to prepare them for their entry into the Promised Land. On the verge of leaving a place where for years they had no material care, since all their needs in the way of food, clothing and shelter had been miraculously provided (by means of Manna, the Well, the Clouds of Glory, etc.) and before settling down in a land , and a way of life, which necessitated tilling, sowing, reaping, and all other mundane preoccupations – the Jews had to receive an additional and special measure of spiritual invigoration and equipment, so that they should not become materialistic and debased in the material world that lay ahead, but – on the contrary – would instill holiness into, and spiritualize and elevate, the material aspects of daily life, transforming the material into the spiritual, by means of the Torah, Avodah and Mitzvoth, Tzedoko and acts of loving-kindness.

Such is also the function of Yeshivoth, especially in recent generations. Some people think that the main purpose of a Yeshiva is to train Rabbis, Shochetim, and other Jewish clergymen. This is not so for the essential and main purpose is to prepare Jewish laymen, who, before going out into the world of business trade, or profession, would be imbued and permeated with Torah and Yiras Shomayim, and later, living within this world, would elevate their entire environment by inspiring every Jew they come in contact with, with love of G-d, love of Torah, and love of fellow-Jew – in actual daily practice.

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The 10th day of Shevat is the Yahrzeit of my saintly father-in-law who conducted the first Lubavitcher Yeshivah (which was founded by his saintly father in Lubavitch 62 years ago), and who transplanted it on American soil 19 years ago, and made it here a flourishing Torah institution.

True to the above mentioned principles, my father-in-law of saintly memory made it the aim of the Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim in America as aforementioned:

That while they produce outstanding scholars of the Torah and outstanding scholars of Chassidus, the primary function of these Yeshivoth is to produce students who are imbued with Mesiras-Nefesh in their love of G-d, love of the Torah, and love of fellow-Jew expressed in practical deeds. That the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth have been most successful in attaining these aims is clear from the record of accomplishments of the "Tmimim" in all parts of the world.

In view of the nearing Yahrzeit-day – the tenth of Shevat – of the founder of United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth Tomchei Tmimim in America, I, prayerfully hope that each and every one of you, men and women, will surely call forth inner forces to come to the and of these Yeshivoth in the utmost degree.

Thereby meriting the Divine Blessings which the founder evokes from on High by interceding in behalf of each and every one who takes a share in the support and expansion of the sacred institutions which he had founded, for them, their children and all theirs שליט"א.

With blessing

/signed Menachem Shneerson/