By the Grace of G-d5th of Adar, 5720Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am gratified to note that the annual Governors dinner of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Montreal will take place on the 17th day of the auspicious month of Adar. As this event marks the inauguration of the annual campaign for the Yeshiva, I hope and pray that its success will exceed all your fondest expectations, both financially and spiritually.

Not only is this month and auspicious one, but also the entire year, being the 200th anniversary of the Histalkus-Hilulo of the saintly Baal Shem Tov. In this year, two hundred years ago, the Baal Shem Tov completed his mission, the mission of his life-span on this earth, giving our people the sacred doctrines of Hassidus and the Hassidic way of life. Thus he has breathed a new spirit and vitality into every Jew and Jewess and has given us new strength in the most crucial period of our history. Not only has he taught us how each and every Jew is intimately and inseparably bound up with G-d and with fellow-Jew through the Torah and Mitzvoth, but he also showed and paved the way for every one of us to strengthen these bonds and to continue his sacred work.

Even before revealing himself as the Baal Shem Tov, he began his work as a teacher of young Jewish children, emphasizing thereby the vital importance of education upbringing. At the same time he established a school, comprising men of piety and great scholarship, to whom he revealed the profoundest secrets of the Torah. By his and their like we are still guided today

The Lubavitcher Yeshivah embodies these sacred principles. The Lubavitcher students, the "Tmimim" (implying wholesomeness and spiritual perfection), are educated and brought up in a way that they would not only be fully versed in our sacred Torah and Chassidus, but would also exemplify the true Jewish outlook and way of life, and, what is no less essential, would convey same by precept and example to their fellow-Jews, everywhere bringing a revival of true Yiddishkeit.

You who participate in this annual event in behalf of the Lubavitcher Yeshivah Tomche Tmimim in Montreal, in order to help the Yeshivah function well and grow and expand, are indeed very fortunate. For by sharing in the Yeshivah’s work you are participating in, and identifying yourself with, all that is holy and eternal in Jewish life. This will surely stand everyone of you and yours in good stead, to be blessed of the Almighty with all those wonderful blessings that have been assured for them that hold fast to the Torah "and its supporters are happy."¹

With prayerful wishes for your utmost success materially and spiritually, which go hand in hand together, and

With blessing

M. Schneerson