By the Grace of G-dOn the Eve of Yud-TesKislev, 5731. Brooklyn,N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

The Annual Dinner takes place this year in the auspicious days linking Yud-Tes Kislev and Chanukah, which are closely related, and which lends special significance to the present occasion.

The historical events which led to Chanukah and to Yud-Tes Kislev have a similarity of features, both in content as well as in their instructiveness for each and everyone of us, man or woman, in our daily life.

Chanukah recalls the self-sacrificing spirit of a handful of Jews - the Chashmonaim and their followers - who fought to preserve the purity and noncompromising nature of our sacred Torah, at a time when darkness and confusion threatened to undermine the pure Jewish beliefs and true Jewish values. With G-d’s help, in a most miraculous way, they succeeded in re-establishing the purity and sanctity of Ner Mitzva vTorah Or in the every-day Jewish life.

Yud-Tes kislev recalls the self-sacrificing spirit of the Alter Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch (founder of Chabad-Lubavitch), in disseminating the inner light of Torah and Mitzvoth, as taught by the Baal Shem Tov and expounded and practiced in Chasidus. With G-d’s help, in a most miraculous way, he won the battle for the entire Jewish people. Since that day - for nearly 200 years - Chasidus has been an inexhaustible fountain of unadulterated Torah-Yiddishkeit, inspiring Jewish life in all parts of the world.

Just as in the case of Chanukah, whose spirit and message find expression in three main aspects, symbolized by the Mitzva of the Chanukah Lights, emphasizing: (a) the purity of Torah ( - the undefiled cruse of holy oil with the seal of the Kohen Godol), (b) the need to spread the light of Torah and Mitzvoth also outside ( - displaying the Chanukah lights to bypassers), and (c) to do so in a growing measure ( - adding a Chanukah light each successive night) - -

so are the spirit and message of Yud-Tes Kislev reflected in the same three main aspects, contained in the plan and endeavor ״to spread the fountains outward," namely: (a) to disseminate in a growing measure (״spread"), (b) the pure fountains of the Torah and Mitzvoth, permeated with the light and warmth of Chasidus ( - the Baal Shem Tov’s "fountains"), and (c) to reach and penetrate also those who are for the present "outside" ( - "outward"). Thus Yud-Tes Kislev is in fact an extension and completion of Chanukah.

The United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth "Tomche Tmimim" unify and incorporate the spirit and content of both Chanukah and Yud-Tes Kislev. The Lubavitcher Yeshiva has raised generations of wholesome students, "Tmimim," who have been spreading Torah and Mitzvoth permeated with Chasidic vitality, warmth and dedication. They are living "Lights" which not merely shine and illuminate their immediate surroundings; for, imbued with a deep-seated implanted Ahavas Yisroel, they ignite many other lights in such circles which unfortunately are as yet "outside", and with determination to increase and intensify the light -kindling ever more "candles" and spreading ever more light.

The United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim therefore deserve the fullest support of all those who appreciate and cherish Torah and Mitzvoth and who recognize the responsibility placed upon every Jew, man and woman, to strengthen Torah-Yiddishkeit in general, and among the younger generation in particular.

The annual event of the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth is a challenge, as well as an opportunity, to express in a tangible way the Jewish consciousness and responsibility, through raising the needed funds to enable the Yeshiva maintain and expand its vital work.

May G-d grant each one of you Hatzlocho in this endeavor in the fullest measure, and this is also the channel to receive G-d’s blessings to you and all yours, in all your needs, materially and spiritually.

With esteem and with blessing for utmost Hatzlocho and good tidings in all above,

/Signature/ Menachem Schneerson