B.H.Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av5724. Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

As we are now commemorating the sad events which led to the Destruction of the Beth Hamikdash and the beginning of the present Exile, it should be remembered that the purpose of this commemoration is not just to inflict a sad period upon ourselves, but rather that we should be reminded and inspired to do all we can to lessen, and eventually remove altogether, the cause which brought about the sad events which we are now commemorating.

For, as we declare in our prayers, "Because of our sins we have been exiled from our land."¹ It was the neglect of the Torah and Mitzvoth, in the daily life and practice, which resulted in the Destruction and Exile. Therefore efforts to strengthen and spread the observance of the Torah and Mitzvoth in the daily life will hasten the complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach and, as promised, these sad days will be transformed into days of joy.²

With blessing,

M. Schneerson

[Letter of the secretariat regarding this letter]

^B.H.

^{Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, 5724}

^{Brooklyn, N.Y.}

^{Neshei U¹Bnois Chabad}

^{Blessing and Greeting:}

^{Enclosed is a copy of the Rebbe's Shlita message to Neshei U'Bnois Chabad, relating to the present days.}

^{It is hoped that the message will be read with appropriate interest by all the members of your group.}

^{With blessing}

^{N. Mindel}

^Secretary