By the Grace of G-d20th of Kislev, 5732Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting;

I was pleased to receive your letter and enclosure, and may G-d grant each and every one of you the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good.

Receipt is enclosed for your contribution to the Tefillin Campaign,² and may the Zechus of this Mitzvo additionally stand each and every one of you in good stead.

Now that we are in the days between the 19th of Kislev and Chanukah, the history and significance of which are surely known to you, may each and every one of us be inspired to intensify the efforts to spread the fountains,3 both the fountains of Torah in general, and the fountains of Pnimius HaTorah in particular, in a growing measure.

Indeed, the Mitzvo of the Chanukah lights brings us vividly the three fundamental aspects of such activity: a) to spread the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth in a growing measure from day to day, as indicated by the addition of a candle each succeeding night of Chanukah; b) to do so not only within one’s own home, but spread it also “outside,” as indicated by the fact that the original place of the Chanukah lights is “at the entrance of his home, outside"; c) when it is dark outside, one must not be discouraged, and that is precisely the time to start kindling the lights — as the Chanukah candles have to be kindled after sunset.

Chanukah is particularly significant to Jewish women and daughters, inasmuch as our Sages emphasized the fact that “they too had a share in that miracle.”³ It is also well known how much the Alter Rebbe and his successors emphasized the role of Jewish women in Jewish life, a role which goes back to the dawn of history and down to the present day.

Wishing each and all of you a bright and inspiring Chanukah,

With blessing,

M. Schneerson