By the Grace of G‑d15th of Iyar, 5728Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am pleased to be informed of the forthcoming Dedication of your new synagogue building.

True to its traditions for the better part of a century, your synagogue will surely continue to serve not only as a House of Prayer, but also as a House of Learning, inspiring both devotional prayer and Torah study, the kind of prayer and study that strengthen adherence to the Torah-true Jewish way of life in the daily life.

Our Sages of blessed memory said: כל הקובע מקום לתפלתו אלקי אברהם בעזרו — “Whoever establishes a place for his prayers, the G‑d of Avraham comes to his aid” (Ber. 6b). Although the deeper meaning of this “establishment” refers to the spiritual dimension of prayer, the plain and Halachic meaning of the words cannot, of course, be taken out of context, namely the actual establishment of a proper synagogue, conducive to sincere devotion in the regular daily prayers.

Moreover, where the Beth HaKenesseth is also a Beth HaMidrash, that is to say when the House of Prayer is also a House of regular Torah study, it has the added dimension of what our Sages describe as שערים המצויינים בהלכה — “Gates distinguished in Halacha” (Ber. 8a), and further comes under another saying of our Sages, to wit: כל הקובע מקום לתורתו אויביו נופלים תחתיו —“Whoever establishes a place for his Torah study, his enemies fall before him” (Berochos 7b, RIF version) —something so urgently needed at this time when our people are surrounded by so many enemies.

May G‑d grant that your congregation continue to flourish and serve as a citadel of Torah and Yiras Shomayim in the fullest sense of the words of our Sages quoted above. And may G‑d fulfill the prayers and petitions of His people, Israel, as well as those of each and every one individually, culminating in the fulfillment of our most fervent prayer for the coming of Moshiach, bringing the end of our Golus, when “our people shall be troubled no more” (Ber. 7b).

To your distinguished Rabbi, esteemed Honorary Officers, congregants and friends, I extend sincere felicitations and prayerful wishes to go from strength to strength in advancing the dissemination and practice of Torah and Mitzvoth in the daily life, within your midst as well as in the community at large.

With esteem and blessing

for Hatzlocho,

M. Schneerson