By the Grace of G-d Erev Shovuos, 5733 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I was pleased to see your answers to the project: "What I will be doing during my vacation."

Your plans for the summer vacation show that you understand the true meaning of "vacation" for a Jewish boy and a Jewish girl: That it is a vacation from some things, and from some activities, but not from Torah and Yiddishkeit, which are as important and necessary as the air we breathe.

As a matter of fact, because you have more free time during the summer vacation, it is an excellent opportunity to devote more time to Torah and Mitzvoth.

Now that we are about to celebrate Shovuoth, the Festival of Mattan Torah - the Anniversary of Our Receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, we all remember that if it were not for the Jewish children, we would not have a Torah at all. For, as you have surely been told, when G-d was about to give the Torah to all our people, He asked for an assurance that the Torah and Mitzvoth would be kept and cherished through the ages, and the only assurance that G-d accepted was that the children would be sure to love and keep the Torah and Mitzvoth. It is up to you, therefore, to make sure that this promise is kept and fulfilled in the best possible way.

Wishing you a joyful Festival of Kabolas haTorah, With love and blessing,

M. Schneerson