By the Grace of G-dLag B’Omer, 5722Brooklyn, New York

Blessing and Greeting:

The annual Convention takes place this year soon after Shabbos- Chazak, the conclusion of the Book of Vayikro, which is also called Toras Kohanim and Sefer Hakarbonois (Book of Sacrifices). I trust that this will set the proper "tone” for the Convention.

The thought behind this is as follows:

Jews, as a people, and individually, have to be like a "Kohen," as G-d has declared:¹ "And you should be unto me a kingdom of Kohanim." Just as the Kohen has been selected to dedicate himself to the sacred Divine Service, not only for his own sake, but also for his brethren, the whole Jewish people. So has every Jew been chosen to serve G-d, with a responsibility also for his entire environment.

To serve G-d does not mean to withdraw from the world; it rather means to serve G-d within this world and together with this world, beginning with one's own home which is to be conducted in such a way that the Shekina (G-d's Presence) should dwell in it, as it is written:² "They shall make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among Them."

This is accomplished by a way of life which exemplifies the Karbonois (Sacrifices) of old.

The service of the Sacrifices consisted in taking things from one's own possession - a lamb, flour, oil, wine, salt, etc. - and consecrating them as a sacrifice: a Burnt Offering - completely offered to G-d, as well as a Peace Offering which, after some parts of it were offered on the Altar, the rest was shared by the Kohen and the owner of the sacrifice and eaten in purity.

This is the way a Jewish home should be conducted in every detail, and then the Shekina dwells therein, and it is a home blessed by G-d, materially and spiritually.

To realize this in the actual daily life - this depends on, and is the main purpose of the Jewish woman, the Akeres haBayis (the foundation of the house); to bring the Shekina into the home and into the family-life, and to bring up the children in this spirit.

May G-d grant that you should carry out your purpose in the fullest measure, and with Chassidic warmth and vitality, and in this way bring closer the time when the Beth Hamikdosh will be rebuilt and the Holy Service will be restored, when the true and complete Geulo (Redemption) will come through our Righteous Moshiach, speedily in our times.

With a prayerful wish and blessing that the Convention and all the members should successfully fulfill all the above with joy and gladness of heart.

/Signed/ MENACHEM SCHNEERSON