By the Grace of G-d 13th of Marcheshvan, 5741 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming Concert, and extend prayerful wishes to all of you to make this outstanding annual event a complete success.

This year, being a Year of Hakhel, adds a special dimension to all Torah-related activities, as has been emphasized on various occasions recently. True, the Mitzvah of Hakhel — assembling all the people, the men, women and children in the Beis Hamikdosh once in seven years, for the purpose of encouraging them toward a greater and deeper commitment to the Torah and Mitzvos cannot physically be fulfilled nowadays (until such time as the Beis Hamikdosh will be restored). But spiritually there are no restrictions of time and place, and everyone of us must strive to attain the same objective, namely, unifying all our Jewish people into one kohol, as one organic body, permeated with fear of G-d and love of G-d and complete dedication to the way of G-d, the way of the Torah and Mitzvos in the everyday life.

When it comes to communication and influence, the spoken word has certain limitations. First of all, the language must be common to the speaker and the audience, and the message must be on the intellectual level of each particular listener, both in regard to content and articulation. These conditions cannot ordinarily be adequately fulfilled when one addresses a vast audience of men, women, and children, of different backgrounds and walks of life. This is why Hakhel was such an extraordinary and unique experience in that it did unify all the Jewish people and evoked in them the same immediate and lasting response.

Here is where the Niggun has a supreme advantage over the spoken word. A hearty Niggun, especially a Chabad Niggun, touches the innermost core of the Jewish heart, which is alive in every Jew, man and woman, regardless of age, knowledge and intellectual level.

However, needless to say, with all the importance of inspiration and enthusiasm ultimately it is the resulting action that counts, for “action is the essential thing,” namely, the actual performance of the Mitzvos every day, with vitality and joy. Herein lies the real Hatzlocho of the Concert, and may G-d grant that it will be realized in the fullest measure.

With esteem and blessing,