By the Grace of G-d 7th of Adar, 5731 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessings:

The participants in the Annual Dinner - taking place only a few days after Purim - will surely bring with them the fresh inspiration which the days of Purim bring to all Jews.

The miracles of Purim, for which we thank G-d in the prayer of "ve’al hanissim," came as a result of the Jews’ refusal to yield to the temptation of an ”easy" way out of Haman’s decree, namely, by giving up Yiddishkeit, G-d forbid. For Haman’s decree was aimed at the Jews as Jews, and it was therefore "easy" to avoid the evil decree, simply by divesting themselves, G-d forbid, of the Torah and Mitzvoth, even if only ostensibly. Yet, during the whole year that the threat of extermination hung over their heads, the Jews not only clung firmly to Torah-Yiddishkeit at the peril of their lives, but strengthened their bonds with Torah and Mitzvoth through a deepfelt spirit of Teshuvo which permeated all Jews.

In those critical days the importance of Torah education was especially emphasized. As our Sages of blessed memory relate, Mordecai the Jew gathered Jewish children and strengthened them in the study of the Torah and the observance of the Mitzvoth, to the point of self sacrifice. And this brought about the miraculous "reversal" from sadness to gladness; in the words of the Megillah: "For the Jews there was Light, Joy, Gladness and Honor."

All teachings of the Torah ("Torah," from Horaah, meaning "instruction"), being derived from the eternal Torah, are valid in all times and places. The events of Purim teach us how Jews can escape from the Hamans of all ages, including our own. It is - by means of strengthening the bonds between Jews and the eternal Torah, through the fulfillment of the Torah and Mitzvoth in the daily life; particularly through strengthening the Torah education of Jewish children, so that they would be permeated with the highest degree of consecration to true Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvoth, imbued with Chasidic warmth and inspiration.

In the light of the above, surely each and every participant in the Annual Dinner will fully appreciate the significance of the great citadel of Torah-education, the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in your community, and will express this appreciation in actual deed. In the merit of this, G-d's blessing and Hatzlocho will bring "Light, Joy, Gladness and Honor" - in every respect - to you and yours and all the Jewish people.

With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings,

/Signed/ Menachem Schneerson