By the Grace of G-d Between Purim-Koton and Purim-Godol, 5744 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am pleased to be advised of the forthcoming Concert series, and extend prayerful wishes for the success of these events in the fullest measure.

The month of Adar, which the Torah associates with increasing joy, is certainly a fitting time for these concerts. In this year, it is particularly auspicious in that we are having two months of Adar, instead of one.

In keeping with the well-known teaching of the Baal Shem Tov, the Founder of Chassidus, to the effect that a Jew should derive a moral lesson, how better to serve HaShem, from every occurrence he sees or hears about (not to mention participates in!) - one of the more obvious lessons of the Leap Year has to do with our unique Hebrew Calendar. Our Calendar is based on the Lunar Year, with a built-in adjustment to the Solar Year, in order that our annual festivals should occur in their proper season (Pesach in the spring, etc.). Hence, once in two or three years, the deficiency that accumulates as a result of the moon-year being some eleven days shorter than the sun-year is made up by the addition of a thirteenth month - an extra month of Adar.

Thus, the joy that should be on the increase in the month of Adar is doubled in a Leap Year.

Since this is what HaShem expects of every Jew, HaShem surely provides good reasons and opportunities, materially and spiritually, for increased joy. Needless to say, this includes the greatest and truest and most lasting of all joys, namely, the joy of doing and promoting Torah and Mitzvos and generally serving HaShem with joy and gladness of heart.

The forthcoming Concerts sponsored by the Lubavitch Foundation certainly provide an excellent opportunity to heighten this sense of joy. And since "the essential thing is the deed," the joy and inspiration will surely be translated into concrete action in terms of increased Torah study and a deepening commitment to the fulfilment of the Mitzvos and to the actual Jewish experience in the everyday life and conduct.

May each and all of you achieve the above in an ever growing measure.

With esteem and with blessing,

M. Schneerson