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

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming Banquet on the Eve of Lag B'Omer. I extend personal greetings and prayerful wishes to the distinguished Chairmen, Honored Guests, and all participants in this outstanding event, and may it be blessed with Hatzlocho.

Lag B'Omer – the day of rejoicing of the great Sage, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochoi (RaShBY) – is a particularly fitting and auspicious day for this occasion, since the work of Chabad-Lubavitch in Florida, as elsewhere around the world, very much reflects the spirit and work of RaShBY.

A case in point is the episode related in the Talmud¹ that when RaShBY emerged from the cave in which he had been hiding for thirteen years, during Roman persecution, he immediately inquired if there was anything that needed rectifying. Upon learning of such a situation – it involved no more than enabling some Jews to avoid a round about way in crossing a certain place to reach their destination – RaShBY spared neither time nor effort until he personally rectified the situation.

If such should be the concern for a fellow Jew, even to spare him a relatively minor physical hardship, how much greater must it be to help Jews in spiritual matters that are of paramount importance to them, to the community, and to all 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 learn Torah and do Mitzvos and help other Jews do the same. In the present day and age this is not only a matter of preserving Yiddishkeit, but also of preserving basic standards of morality and decency. This calls for the highest quality and fullest measure of Torah education, and for dedicated teachers and educators.

The spirit of Ahavas Yisroel with total dedication as exemplified by RaShBY permeates the educational institutions and activities of Chabad Lubavitch in Florida. Surely this vital cause deserves your fullest support and personal involvement as active partners.

With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho,

M. Schneerson