By the Grace of G‑d

Our1 Torah, throughout all its parts, is a Torah of Life,2 an eternal Torah. As my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz] explained: “A Torah of Life means a Torah that gives a directive to every man and woman in their daily lives” — in their individual lives, and most certainly in the life of the community. With regard to some of the subjects in the Torah, it might appear at first glance that they are not relevant to real life today nor to our present situation. After closer examination, however, one can find a model for our current situation in those subjects, too, whether at a subtle level3 or otherwise. From them, too, one can derive clear directives and unequivocal operative orders, both with regard to action that must be taken and action that must be avoided.4

This principle also applies to the maamar that is published herewith.5

There, [the Rebbe Rayatz] emphatically expects of his chassidim that they should demonstrate “self-sacrifice for the practical fulfillment of the Torah and its commandments”. From the above-mentioned maamar beginning VeKibeil HaYehudim 5687 [1927]. and especially for education6 — in spite of the enemy, “who hates and battles openly,” and in spite of the avenger, “who hides his hatred, but schemes for revenge, unlimited by the bounds of the law.”7

[The Rebbe Rayatz] promises further that it is the upbringing of these little children — who will continue as Torah students, or who will now become Torah students despite all the decrees, intimidations, conspiracies and stratagems — that will ultimately silence those enemies and avengers. Moreover, he writes, by virtue of this self-sacrifice they will be found worthy of witnessing the Redemption.

Today, too, such adversaries are to be found in every country. Whether they are enemies who battle openly, or avengers who scheme secretly, they share one intent — to dominate those children. Their goal is the goal of Achaz:8 “If there are no children, there will no adults; ...no disciples; ...no sages; ...no Torah; ...and then the Holy One, blessed be He, will not cause His Presence to abide in the world.”9

Today, too, the promise [of the Rebbe Rayatz] in those days is in force: by virtue of self-sacrifice and fearless resistance in the fulfillment of the Torah and its commandments, and especially in the cause of education, all the plots and decrees “that the Torah should (G‑d forbid) be forgotten among the Jewish people and that they should (G‑d forbid) be distanced from G‑dliness”489 will be of no avail. Indeed, the children will become “signs and wonders among Jewry,” and “the foundation of the state in which10 ‘Your people are all righteous.’”489

Such self-sacrifice is so powerful as to make our people worthy of the complete and true Redemption — to make it come speedily, in our own days, through our Righteous Mashiach.

Menachem Schneerson

7 Adar II, 5711 [1951]
Brooklyn, N.Y.