By the Grace of G-d1st Day of the Week ofParshas Emor, 5739Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am pleased to send you prayerful wishes on the occasion of the Annual Dinner taking place on the First Day of the Week of Parshas Bamidbor.

As has often been emphasized, everything is by Divine Providence, and every aspect in Torah contains eternal instructions, for "Torah" means "instruction." Therefore, it is both significant and instructive that the Dinner event is taking place in the week of Parshas Bamidbor, which is highlighted by the counting of the Jewish people in the Wilderness of Sinai, one month after the erection of the Mishkon (Sanctuary).

The Divine command to count the people is expressed in the meaningful phrase, which literally reads, "Lift up the heads of the children of Israel" (instead of the simpler form, "Count the children of Israel"). In addition, it is accompanied by the oft-repeated phrase, ". . . everyone who is able to march forth for (military) service. "

One of the lessons implied in the above, which is particularly relevant to the occasion, is that when Jews stand up to be counted, each individual, regardless of his station in life, is uplifted, because he is part of Tzivos HaShem, G-d’s "army," and becomes ready and willing to march forth in the service of G-d with all his capacities and resources fully mobilized.

But in order to be able to do that, one must have the proper training. A good soldier is not born; he must undergo a period of training under a strict and meticulous discipline. And this is the function of Chinuch - true Jewish education, the kind of Chinuch to which the Educational Institute Oholei Torah is dedicated, and has been highly successful, with G-d’s help -and yours, in raising Tzivos HaShem, of whom we can all be justly proud.

I am therefore confident that all friends of "Oholei Torah" will generously respond to the needs of this most worthy Torah institution for further growth and expansion and help it meet its obligations. Everyone will surely wish to be counted in this important endeavor and be included in the Divine blessing, "Lift up the heads of the children of Israel," to the highest degree and in the fullest measure, both materially and spiritually.

With blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/