By the Grace of G-d First Day of the Week of Emor "Tiferes sheb'Tiferes" 5746. Brooklyn, N.Y.
To All Participants In the
Annual Dinner of Oholei Torah
G-d bless you all!
Greeting and Blessing:
On the occasion of the forthcoming Annual Dinner, I extend congratulations and prayerful wishes to the Honored Guests and all participants in this event. May HaShem grant this important undertaking in behalf of Oholei Torah be with much Hatzlocho in all respects.
By Hashgocho Protis the information about this Dinner event reached me in proximity to the Birthday of the Rebbe Maharash ("Tiferes she-b'Tiferes"), which brings to mind his famous saying: "People say, if you cannot squeeze through underneath, climb over the top; and I say, Climb over the top in the first place!"1
This meaningful saying - as has often been pointed out2 - is a general instruction in regard to all human endeavors in matters of goodness and holiness: The way to accomplish things is not in taking the line of least resistance, but in meeting any challenge head on, reaching for the top and over the top from the start - !לכתחילה אריבער.
If the said principle should be the rule in all worthwhile endeavors, as mentioned, how much more so in the area of Chinuch - Torah education, where one must always aim for maximum from the start, in keeping with the rule: "Educate the youngster in the proper way, so that also in old age he will not depart from it"3 - inasmuch as the education of children and adolescents lays the foundation for the entire life. This approach is particularly imperative in our day and age, when the young generation needs to be especially fortified against harmful influences, etc. -a point which requires no elaboration to the audience and all friends of Oholei Torah.
Oholei Torah is a Chinuch institution where the principle of "climbing over the top" is one of its basic guidelines. I trust that the same principle inspires and motivates also the friends of Oholei Torah to support it in a manner of "reaching for the top." Especially as there is the assurance of "reward in kind" (midoh kneged midoh)4, namely, receving G-d's blessings in a manner of "over - and over - the top," in all needs, both materially and spiritually.
With esteem and blessing for
Hatzlocho and good tidings,
/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/
Notes and sources
1) See Igros Kodesh, Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. 1, letter 340 (p. 617).
2) See, for example, Farbrengen of Shabbos Parshas Kedoshim, 5746 (Toras Menachem — Hisvaduyos 5746, Vol. 3, pp. 249ff., a day before this letter was written).
3) Mishlei 22:6.
4) See Sotah 9b.
Source: Photocopy of original
Published: A Collection of the Rebbe's Letters to Oholei Torah (5779), 55.