Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8940 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

17 (note 1: The Rebbe* writes Tov*, good, a term whose numerical value is seventeen.) Shevat* 5725,

Brooklyn, New York,

To all the participants at the annual celebration of the

center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*,

may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

The holy Torah*, which is eternal, delivers teachings that apply to every event, at all times (note 2: See Likkutei Sichos*, vol. 6, p. 314.). How much more so is this the case when this event is directly linked to the Torah*, as is the case, in this instance, for the annual celebration of the center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*. This year, your celebration takes place on the day when one begins the study of Parshas* Mishpatim* (note 3: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "Mishpatim*," "relations between men," "Yisro*," "the giving of the Torah*," "the Ten Commandments," "I am Hashem your Elokim*," "of Hashem performed by men," "the altar," "supernatural," "holiness," "each," "upright," "serve Hashem," "behavior between men," and "integrity."), the Laws. The first Law presented by the text deals with the relations between men (note 3). Nevertheless, Mishpatim* follows Yisro* (note 3), the Parshah* of the giving of the Torah* (note 3), which relates the Ten Commandments (note 3). These begin with: "I am Hashem your Elokim*" (note 3). And, this same Sidrah* concludes by treating of the altar, which alludes to the service of Hashem performed by men (note 3). Our Sages* say (note 4: See, regarding this, letter no. 8942.), in this regard: "It is for this reason that the Parshah* of the Laws follows that of the altar (note 3), in order to show that the Sanhedrin* must sit beside the Temple*, beside the altar."

In what has just been said is underscored, on various occasions and in the most profound manner, the following idea (note 5: See, notably, regarding this, letters no. 8338, 8942, and 8969.). When it comes to establishing, between men and peoples, a good and just legislation, it is absolutely insufficient to base oneself on one's innate sense of fairness and justice, as have shown the unfortunate events that have often occurred in the world. Ethics and fairness are maintained, within collective life, on a daily basis, for men and nations, only when their moral legislation is founded on supernatural (note 3) bases, that is to say on the holiness (note 3) inherent in the Creator of the world, Who is also the Creator of man. Indeed, only the Creator possesses a perfect knowledge of human nature, with all its weaknesses. It is therefore only He Who is able to forge laws of ethics and true and lasting morality, for all of humanity, for the individual as for the collective. Thus, these divine laws are binding on all, without the slightest exception, in every place and at every time.

In light of what has just been said, one can evaluate the worth of a Yeshivah*, in general, and that of the Yeshivos* Lubavitch*, in particular. The time has passed when one believed that the necessity of possessing a profound knowledge of the Gemara*, the Mussar*, and the Chassidus* was incumbent only upon a Rav* or a Shochet*, whereas the "ordinary" Jew, member of the community, had no need for it. In our era and in our environment, it has been clearly established that the opportunity to study the Torah* and to be deeply permeated with fear of Hashem, in the atmosphere of a Yeshivah*, is vital for each (note 3) Jew, if he desires to be an upright (note 3) man, by the Mitzvos* that allow one to serve Hashem (note 3) as by those that govern the behavior between men (note 3), from the moment he wishes to fully assume the mission that was entrusted to his soul, according to what Divine Providence* has assigned to each person.

It is precisely in this that the Yeshivos* Lubavitch* are distinguished. Their students, the Temimim*, possess integrity (note 3) in the two directions that have just been defined, for the love of Hashem and the love of the Torah* go hand in hand with the love of one's fellow and are fully expressed in daily existence. I address my blessing and my greetings to all the esteemed guests and participants at this annual celebration of the center of the Yeshivos* Tomchei Temimim* Lubavitch*. I hope that each person will fully take part in its success, both materially and spiritually. With my respects and my blessing for great success in all that has just been said,