By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Iyar, 5741Brooklyn, N. Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

In response to the information about the forthcoming Annual Convention to take place on the weekend of Lag B'Omer — may G-d grant that it should be with much Hatzlocho in every respect.

No doubt the Convention will be duly inspired by the bright day of Lag B'Omer, the day connected with Rabbi Shimon ben Yochoi (RaShBY). And since "action is the essential thing," the inspiration will surely be translated into actual deeds.

To be sure, who can compare to RaShBY, one of the greatest Sages and leading disciples of Rabbi Akiva. However, since the Torah, Toras Chayim, relates about his actions, it surely indicates that everyone of us, man or woman, should be inspired to act in the same spirit and direction.

Thus the Talmud relates that when RaShBY emerged from the cave in which he had been hiding for twelve-thirteen years, during Roman persecution, he immediately inquired, if there was anything that needed to be rectified. Upon being informed that there was such a situation, he spared no time or effort until he rectified the situation, although it involved no more than saving some Jews the trouble of having to make a round-about way while crossing a certain place.

The instruction is clear: If one is obligated to go to a great deal of trouble to spare a fellow Jew a relatively minor physical hardship, how much more must be done to help Jews in spiritual matters and of paramount importance to them and future generations.

By the grace of G-d, we live in a land where no one has to hide in a cave, or even in the privacy of one's home, in order to observe Yiddishkeit and disseminate it among fellow Jews. Nevertheless, there are patches of deep darkness outside, and turbulent winds threaten to erode the spiritual and moral values of the young generation — a situation that is worrisome not only to the preservation of Yiddishkeit, but also to the preservation of basic moral standarts.

In light of this situation, the quality of Torah education has never been more important than now; not only that which the child receives in the educational institution, which must be of the highest in terms of purity and holiness, but just as importantly the education which the child absorbs at home, from the general atmosphere and conduct that makes the home what it is. And this largely depends on the Akeres Habayis and Em Habonim.

It has often been emphasized that the best way to deal with a problem is to prevent it from developing in the first place. Thus it is necessary to spare no effort until each and all Jewish children, boys as well as girls, receive the maximum Torah education, both at school and at home. And, as mentioned, insofar as the home is concerned, the Baleboste is the Akeres Habayis, whom G-d has endowed with the Zechus and responsibility — hence also the capacity — to permeate the home with the light and warmth of Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvos — to overflowing, so as to make also neighboring Jewish homes and the whole neighborhood Jewishly brighter and warmer, in accordance with the Divine order, request and promise: "Make Me a Mikdosh and I will dwell in their midst” — ”in the midst of each and every Jew, man, woman, and child.”

May G-d grant that the Convention will act — and inspire everyone to act — in this direction, in a steadily increasing manner of spreading the light of the ”Lighthouse” in keeping with its theme.¹ And Hashem will send His blessing for Hatzlocho in this, and in all needs, both materially and spiritually — to each and all of you, and all yours.

With blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings in all above,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/