By the Grace of G-d,15th Day of Kislev, 5752 Brooklyn, N.Y

Greeting and Blessing!

I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming dinner of the Rabbinical College of America which will take place, G-d willing, on Sunday, the 17th of Kislev. I hereby send my heartfelt greeting and blessing to the distinguished honorees to the chairmen and to all the guests and participants in this outstanding event. May it be G-d's will that this undertaking be crowned with great success in all aspects, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

This year's dinner takes place in the month of Kislev, the month in which we celebrate the festival of Yud-Tes Kislev, commemorating the release from imprisonment of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Lubavitch-Chabad movement, and soon after that the festival of Chanuka, both of which signify and express the concept of religious freedom and education.

All of the above has special significance since the current Jewish year is a Leap Year.

The significance of a Leap Year has been explained on previous occasions, as have the practical lessons we can learn from it. We shall here discuss one point that especially relates to this gathering: the subject of “giver" - the sun - and “receiver" - the moon. During a Leap-Year the two meet together, thereby reconciling the difference between the solar year and lunar year, and accomplishing the Divine intention that Pesach always be in the Month of Aviv - springtime.

The main point of this is that, through the mutual effect upon each other, namely the “giver" and “receiver” - the “giver” simultaneously also being a "receiver" and the "receiver” also a “giver” - the two become one, thereby fulfilling the Divine design for both of them, and for the world as a whole.

This point is particularly outstanding in regard to educational activities, where the "giving” is primarily from the educator - the teacher - to the one who is being educated - the student. That is why it is especially important that the "giving" be in the fullest possible measure, quantitatively and qualitatively: the Torah and Mitzvos implanted in the child should not be merely by force of habit, but should permeate the child’s thoughts, speech and actual deeds so that this is reflected in his daily conduct - in fear of G-d, respect for parents and teachers, improved character traits and so on, so that it be evident - at Yeshiva, at home, at shul and also in the street - that this is a product of an educational activity on high standards of holiness.

In order that the “giving” be even more complete, educators and counselors should bear in mind that they are, at the same time, also “receivers” - and to a tremendous extent, incomparably more than the effort and work they invest in their students. Indeed, who can estimate the merit and reward associated with the sacred work of raising the Almighty’s “kinder,” children of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He?

However, in order that the educational activities be able to fulfill its responsibilities in the best possible way, it has to rely upon yet another class of “givers” - Torah-supporters who understand the value of Torah education and the preciousness of Jewish men, women and children. And, in this connection, there is an added dimension to this year, in that it is a complete and full year (with the most amount of days), which teaches us - reminds us - that one is to accomplish his utmost in good deeds.

And especially being that we find ourselves in the year 5752, in Hebrew ה'תשנ"ב, whose Hebrew letters form an acronym הי' תהא שנת נפלאות בכל מכל כל ("this will be a year of wonders ‘in all things,’ ‘by all things,’ with 'all things,’”) G-d Almighty will surely grant all of you a wondrous year of goodness in all matters material and spiritual.

With esteem and with blessings for success and for good tidings in all the above,

M. Schneerson