Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3376 — Chinuch

B"H

29 Adar* 5715

Brooklyn

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem,

Rav Mordechai (the Rav M. Segal, of Paris; a similar letter was addressed to Rav Yitzchak Blankovski),

Greetings and blessings,

I received news of you, with pleasure, through the Rav, distinguished Chassid who fears Hashem and devotes himself to communal needs, Rav Yosef Yehudah Chen (of Paris; see letters no. 1196 and 3095 regarding him). He wrote to me, in particular, that you took an active part in preparing the Purim* evening presented by the young women of Beis Rivkah*.

In every place and at every time, it is stated that "it is a Mitzvah* to publicize who performed a Mitzvah," for "rivalry among scholars develops wisdom." But how much more so in this abandoned and orphaned generation. We must therefore make use of every possible means to strengthen and spread Jewish values in the spirit of the Tradition, reaching the broadest possible circles.

It is fitting, in particular, to act thus at a propitious time, when everything pertaining to Torah* and Mitzvos* receives particular success — that is, for example, during Shabbos*, the festivals, Chanukah*, and Purim.

Moreover, in recent years, each of us is a survivor (of the wartime persecutions) and must therefore assume the mission that, until now, was borne by all those who gave their lives to sanctify the Name of Hashem.

To all this is added the fact that we are speaking here of children, in whom it is necessary to instill the firmness that will enable them to withstand all the harmful winds blowing in the street, seeking to penetrate the homes of these Jewish children.

The winds of compromise are particularly dangerous. They assert that it is no longer necessary to take an extreme position, as was done before. Shortly thereafter, they say that there is no reason for Jewish commitment to be as pronounced as before. And in the end, one does not know what attitude to adopt.

This is why the Lubavitch* education connects the generation to the past, emphasizes to the children that they are the sons and daughters of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, of Sarah, Rivkah, Racheil, and Leah, whose ways they must follow, as our Torah, Torah of life, affirms. It is only in this case that one can form an upright and blessed generation.

The merit of all who lend their support, each in his or her own way and according to his or her abilities, will protect them in all their needs and those of their families.

With my blessing for a kosher* and joyous Pesach* festival,

For the Rebbe, shlita*,

the secretary,