By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5743 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I extend congratulations and cordial greetings to the distinguished Chairman and Co-Chairmen, honored guests, and all participants in this outstanding event.

Significantly, the Banquet is taking place in close proximity to the Festival of Shovuos, with its inspiration and influence still fresh in one’s mind.

To be sure, Shovuos occurs only once a year, when we celebrate the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. However, G-d’s giving the Torah and our receiving it is not a once-a-year event. Our Sages teach us that it is a continuous process ever since the Torah was first given at Mount Sinai 3295 years ago. Every day G-d gives us the Torah all over again, which explains why the benediction recited over the Torah every morning concludes with the words “Blessed are You … who gives the Torah” — in the present tense.

In the same spirit we receive the Torah every day “as new,”¹ as if it were given to us for the first time, with the eagerness and enthusiasm with which it was received for the first time during the Divine Revelation at Mount Sinai.

And just as on that occasion the Torah was given only after we pledged our children to be our guarantors that it will be faithfully kept and transmitted from generation to generation,² so we renew this pledge each and every day.

Every Jew is thus personally committed to support Torah education — this being the only way [to] redeem that pledge and make it a reality.

The Oholei Torah School for Boys — like all Chabad-Lubavitch educational institutions in this country and in many other parts of the world — is permeated with the spirit of Ahavas Torah and Yiras Shomayim. Its students are certain to be worthy guarantors and transmitters of the Torah and Mitzvos to the next generation, and the next, in an unbroken chain. Thus, the Dedication Dinner offers an excellent opportunity to redeem one’s pledge and commitment to Torah education of the highest order.

I am therefore confident that everyone will want to do so in a most generous measure. In addition to the deed itself, it will also open wide the “channels and vessels” to receive G-d’s blessings in all needs, materially and spiritually. 

With prayerful wishes for Hatzlocho in all above, and for an inspiring and joyous Festival of Receiving the Torah, carried over in all days ahead, and

With esteem and blessing,

M. Schneerson