By the Grace of G-dErev Shabbos-kodeshParshas Zachor, 5745Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to be informed that this year's annual dinner is taking place in the form of a communal Se'udah. My prayerful wishes to you all for a successful, joyous and inspiring event.

Of course, no greater inspiration is required than the fact that it is taking place on Purim itself, since everyone is surely familiar with the story of Purim as related in the Megillah.

The highlight and essence of the Miracle of Purim is that — in the words of the Megillah — "For the Jews there was light and joy and gladness and honor." In addition to the plain meaning of these words in Torah shebi'ksav, our Sages reveal in the Torah shebe'al peh the inner meaning of the words, namely, "Light — this is Torah . . . honor — this is Tefillin". Thereby our Sages tell us that it is through spreading the light of Torah and Mitzvos (Ner Mitzvah vTorah or) — in the family and in the synagogue, as well as in the community at large — that Jews achieve "Light, joy gladness and honor" also in the plain sense of these words.

As this letter is written on erev-Shabbos P. Zachor, it is appropriate to add that the special reading of this portion in the Torah is a strong reminder that everything connected with Purim should be "remembered" and "not forgotten" (the opening and concluding words of this portion) — particularly the eternal fundamental message of "Light — this is Torah," etc., which is the highlight and essence of the Miracle of Purim.

With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho in all above,

M. Schneerson