This letter was addressed to “Anash,1the students, the temimim,2and all those who share closeness with Chassidus and chassidim in all places. G‑d bless you all.”

B”H, Rosh Chodesh Shvat, 5711,
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

In anticipation of the great and holy day, the tenth of Shvat, the hillula3 of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe,זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע, הכ"מ, I would like to inspire [you] with regard to [the study of] the maamar which he prepared for publication on the day of his passing, the maamar entitled Basi LeGani, Yud Shvat, 5710.

You will certainly study it on the night and day of his hillula.

To quote our Nasi in his letters (Kuntres 34 and Kuntres 365):

This day is uniquely suited to bond oneself with the Tree of Life. Every member of the chassidic brotherhood can be found worthy to have the merit of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, shine upon him and all the members of his household. For he sacrificed his holy life for us, to lead us in the paths of the tzaddikim, the foundations of the world,6 our fathers, the saintly Rebbeim, זצוקללה"ה, נבג"ם, זי"ע, הכ"מ, [and this will enable us] to be delivered with regard to children, health, and abundant sustenance.

Anash and the students, the temimim, rouse yourselves and come to the courtyards of G‑d — the synagogues and the houses of study — to prayer and to the public [Torah] study sessions. Hold farbrengens with brotherly love to strengthen Torah study by supporting the students of Torah and those who are involved in the service of G‑d.

Anash, the students, the temimim, and all those who participate in the paths of the chassidim and Chassidus:all of you, stand prepared, you, your wives, your sons, and your daughters, to receive G‑d’s blessings — the outpouring of life, plentiful sustenance, and satisfaction from your descendants — that G‑d will pour out to you and to us through the arousal of abundant mercies from the source of true mercy and kindness, [following a motif similar to that implied by the hymn] Machnisei Rachamim,7 which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, whose hillula is being celebrated, will arouse. May you be blessed with children, health, and abundant sustenance.

Menachem Mendel Schneerson