Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7598 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem,

12 Adar* 5721,

Brooklyn,

To the great Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem, of good conduct, communal leader of multiple accomplishments, man of quality, of illustrious lineage, the Rav Yitzchak Meir HaKohen (note 1: Rav I. M. Lewin. See, regarding him, letters no. 7054, 7608, and 7654),

I greet you and bless you,

Enclosed please find the text of the two telegrams that the Rebbe* Shlita* addressed to you, the first at the conclusion of Shabbos* and the second today:

A) "Have a joyous Purim*. I have proposed, in my schools, that boys and girls who are obligated in the practice of Mitzvos*, as well as younger children, to the extent possible, make the effort to personally fulfill the Mitzvos* of sending food portions to friends and gifts to the poor (note 2: The Mitzvos* of Purim*). With my respects,

Menachem Schneerson,"

B) "I thank you and respond to your telegram. In addition to the practice of these Mitzvos* and their educational value, what is involved here is giving expression below to the unity of our people that is scattered, showing it to Hashem, if one may express it thus, and affirming that this unity is lasting only when one practices our religion, which differs from those of all the other nations (note 3: In the words of the Megillah*). Furthermore, one will attract the young and, through their intermediary, their parents, so that they follow the path of Mordechai the Jew, who rejected all forms of idolatry. With my respects and my blessing,

Menachem Schneerson,"

With my respects and my blessing for a joyous Purim*,

Letter from the secretariat of the Rebbe* regarding this proposal

By the grace of Hashem,

7 Adar* 5721,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the attention of the Rabbanim*, rectors of Yeshivos*, educators, teachers, and parents, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

On the occasion of the approaching days of Purim*, the Rebbe* Shlita* has asked us to draw the attention of all to the lack of familiarization with the Mitzvos* of sending food portions to friends and gifts to the poor, as one observes among Jewish children and youth. Many of them rely on the opinion that they fulfill these Mitzvos* through the performance of their parents. Furthermore, it can also happen that the parents do not fulfill them in the fitting manner. It is for this reason that, with all due respect, it is asked of the Rabbanim*, educators, and parents to remind the children whose education they oversee and who are under their influence of the following points:

A) In addition to the Mitzvah* of listening to the reading of the Megillah*, on the night of Purim* and then again the following morning, every boy from the age of thirteen and every girl from the age of twelve is personally obligated to fulfill the Mitzvos* of sending food portions to friends and gifts to the poor, on the day of Purim*.

Note: From an educational standpoint, it is desirable to accustom younger children as well to the practice of these Mitzvos*.

B) It is easy to fulfill these Mitzvos*. To send food portions to one's friends, it suffices to have two food items — for example, an apple and a candy, or a slice of cake and a soda, or a fruit juice. And one can fulfill the Mitzvah* of gifts to the poor with two cents, given to two poor people.

I have good hope that you will take all of this into account, in the fitting manner, for the merit of the greatest number. With my warm blessing for a joyous and inspiring Purim*. With my respects and my blessing,

The secretariat of the Rebbe* Shlita*,