By the Grace of G-d 17th of Shevat, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

Our holy Torah ( — meaning “Instruction”) being eternal, contains instruction and insight into all events, at all times; especially an event directly bound up with Torah, such as the annual celebration of the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth.

The celebration takes place this year on the day when we begin to read the weekly portion of Mishpatim (“Judgments”). This Sidrah begins with laws regulating individual and social human relations. However, this Sidrah follows directly the Sidrah of Yissro, in which we read about Mattan-Torah (the Giving of the Torah), with the Ten Commandments beginning with “I am G-d, thy G-d.”¹ Moreover, the final chapter of Yissro, immediately preceding Mishpatim, deals with instruction relating to the Altar, which also comes within the area of man’s duty to G-d. Our Sages point to this sequence, saying: “Why does the portion of Mishpatim follow next to that of the Alter? In order to teach us that the Sanhedrin (Judges) should be close to the Sanctuary (Altar).”²

From the above we note the emphasis (expressed in many and profound ways) on the basic concept that —

In the area of inter-human relations, whether on the individual or inter-group level, it is futile to rely entirely on “intuitive” feelings of equity and justice — as bitter experience has amply demonstrated;³

Only that ethics and justice can endure in the daily coexistence of individuals and groups, the norme of which derive their compelling authority from a supra-human source, namely the sanctity given them by the Creator of the Universe and of man;

For only the Creator fully knows human nature, with all its weaknesses; therefore only the Creator could prescribe true and enduring ethical and moral laws for the individual and for the society at large; and such laws as derive their truth and authority from the Supreme Being are binding upon all, without exception, and at all times and places.

In the light of the aforesaid, one can better appreciate the vital importance of Yeshivoth, and of the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth in particular.

Gone is the day when it was generally assumed that a Yeshiva education is necessary only for the training of a Rabbi or Shochet, etc., but the average Jewish layman does not need it. It has become abundantly clear that in the present day, and in the present society, the need for a deep Torah education, in a Yeshivah atmosphere permeated with the fear and love of G-d, is indispensable for every Jewish boy and girl, if they are to grow up into wholesome Jews, wholesome in their duty to G-d and to fellow-man, fully aware and capable of their soul’s mission bestowed upon them by Divine Providence.⁴

Herein lies the particular importance of the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth “Tomche-Tmimim,” where the students are trained in wholesomeness of both knowledge and character, so that their love of G-d and love of the Torah is matched by their love of fellow-Jew, and these loves are actually translated into deeds in their daily life and conduct.

I send my prayerful wishes and greetings to all the distinguished guests and participants in this year’s annual celebration, which marks a milestone in the history of the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth “Tomche Tmimim” I am confident that everyone, man and woman, will contribute their full share toward the success of this occasion, in the financial as well as the spiritual aspect.

With blessing for utmost success,

/Singed: Menachem Schneerson/