By the Grace of G-d 28th of Iyar, 5746 Broklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 3rd, about the forthcoming marriage of a group of Russian Jewish couples of all ages "in accordance with the Law of Moshe and Yisroel" - which they had not been able to solemnize in the country from which they came.

I extend prayerful wishes and Mazel Tov to each and all of this group, that the event take place in a happy and auspicious hour and - in the words of the blessings under the Chuppah - be a Binyan Adei Ad, an Everlasting Edifice on the foundations of the Torah and Mitzvoth.

It is significant that this event is taking place in the month of Mattan Torah, and soon after the Festival of Mattan Torah, which is described in the Torah itself as the "marriage" between the Jewish people and the Torah, and was the time when HaShem's designated our people as a "Kingdom of Kohanim (HaShem's servants) and a Holy Nation."¹ This is therefore the time when Jews, men and women, renew and reaffirm their commitment and loyalty to the Torah and the Mitzvoth in the everyday life and conduct.

I trust, and I am confident, that this happy occasion will serve as a source of inspiration to the entire Jewish community of the State of New Jersey with a lasting inspiration that will be translated into actual deeds, in accordance with the basic principle of Yiddishkeit that the "essential thing is the deed."²

With prayerful wishes for a joyous and inspiring Festival and the traditional blessing of Receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness,

With esteem and blessing

M. Schneerson