By the Grace of G-dPesach-sheni, 5731Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessings:

The Annual Dinner is taking place only days after Lag B'Omer.

One of the main aspects of Lag B’Omer is that on this day the misfortune which had overtaken the disciples of Rabbi Akiva came to an end. The cause of this misfortune - as explained at length elsewhere - was the fact that the relationship among Rabbi Akiva's students had not been on the level worthy of Torah students, especially disciples of such a great Tanna.

Since there was a lack in their relationship in the area of "man to man," it is clear that there was a lack in the area of "between man and G-d."

In these days of Sefira (Counting the Omer), which is a period of preparation for Receiving the Torah, the happening with Rabbi Akiva's disciples underscores the important lesson, which is also indicated in the order of the Ten Commandments: If there is to be the fulfilment of "Honor thy father and thy mother," together with all other obligations in the area of "between man and man" -there must first be the recognition of, and submission to, the commandments: "I am G-d, thy G-d," and "Thou shalt have no other gods" as the basis for the daily life and conduct.

The above refutes the false assumption of those who think that the laws of inter-human relationships, the so-called principles of morality and ethics, are not dependent upon a thorough Torah-chinuch.

The purpose of the Oholey Torah chinuch institution is to give the children a thorough Torah education, complete Yiddishkeit, where both spheres, namely, "between man and G-d" and "between man and man," go hand-in-hand together. This kind of chinuch has the assurance that the children will grow up to be good and whole Jews in every respect; living examples to others, and an inexhaustible source of true Yiddish Nachas, Torah Nachas, to their parents and to our Jewish people. This institution, therefore, deserves the fullest support. The Zechus of helping it maintain and expand its vital work will surely stand all its supporters in good stead, to receive G-d's blessings in all needs, especially to have true Torah Nachas from their own children, in material as well as spiritual wellbeing.

With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho and for good tidings,

/Signed/ Menachem Schneerson