By the Grace of G-dErev Rosh Chodesh Adar 1,5733Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

. . .It has often been noted that the time element in any event of Jewish life, especially one connected with Torah and Chinuch, has a special relevance and message. This rule also applies to the fact that we are in the midst of a Leap Year, containing two months of Adar.

The underlying reason for periodic “Leap Years” in our Jewish Calendar is that our Calendar is determined by the Lunar Year, which is about 11 days shorter than the Solar Year. But inasmuch as the Torah requires us to observe our Festivals in their due season — Pesach in the Spring, Succos in Autumn, etc., — a periodic adjustment is necessary to make up the deficiency between the Lunar and Solar years.

Herein also lies an important lesson. For not only does the extra month fully make up the deficiency, but it usually provides also an advance “on account” of the following year.

The lesson is two-fold: A person must from time to time take stock of his accomplishments in the past, with a view to ascertain what he has omitted to do. The first principle to remember is, therefore, that it is never too late to make good past deficiencies. Secondly, it is not enough to make up a deficiency; it is also necessary to make an extra effort as an advance on account of the future, and continue from strength to strength.

If this is true in all human affairs, how much more so in matters of Torah and Mitzvos and, especially, in the area of Chinuch — the vital link in the preservation of our eternal Torah and heritage and the continuity of our people. Moreover, in the present day and age it is quite obvious that Torah-true Chinuch is the only way to ensure that our children, boys and girls, will remain ours, and that they will grow up and flourish like the proverbial tree planted by water, with deep strong roots that can withstand all winds and storms, and will not fail to bear good fruits and the fruits of fruits to all generations to come.

In the spirit of the above, may each and all of us take a “leap” forward in our advancement in Torah and Mitzvos as well as in our endeavors to strengthen true Yiddisbkeit in general, and Torah-true Chinuch in particular, to the fullest extent of our capacity to meet the challenge of our present critical times.

With blessings for Hatzlocho and good tidings,

M. Schneerson