By the Grace of G‑d
7th of Adar, 5740
Brooklyn, N.Y.
[February 24, 1980]

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to confirm receipt of your correspondence. May G‑d grant the fulfillment of your heart's desires for good in the matters about which you wrote.

Since this letter is written in proximity to Purim, it is timely to recall its eternal teachings, especially as the Megillah expressly states, “These days are remembered and implemented.” And although much has been said and written on the subject of Purim, yet every year at this time these days are renewed with new dimensions and meaning that need to be implemented in the everyday life.

Let us recall here at least one of the basic teachings of Purim:

As in the days of Mordechai and Esther, our Jewish people is still “dispersed and scattered among the nations of the world.” Yet, as ever, we are “one nation.” And what unifies our people and makes it unique is “their laws that are different from those of any other nation” – our Torah and Mitzvoth and way of life, the very source of our eternal strength.

Purim teaches us that in a time of crisis, faced with a ruthless enemy like Haman, we must turn all the more tenaciously to our source of strength, and show that we are “the People of Mordechai, who would not kneel nor bow down” to anything that is contrary to Yiddishkeit. It is this firm and resolute stand that brought about Haman's downfall, so that “for the Jews there was light, joy, gladness and honor” – both in the plain sense as well as in the deeper sense of “Light – this is Torah... Honor – this is Tefillin.” And following in their footsteps, we may be sure that “So will it be for us.”

Since Purim is also a preparation and prelude to Pesach, the implementation of the said Purim message, particularly timely these days, will surely hasten the fulfillment of the Divine Promise, “As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt, I will show you wonders” – at the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, speedily in our days.

With blessing for Hatzlocho and good tidings, and wishing you and yours a joyous and inspiring Purim,

M. Schneerson