This letter was published as a foreword to the kuntres published for Purim, 5711.

B”H,

Our1 Torah, in all its parts, is a Torah of Life,2 an eternal Torah. As my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, explained: “A ‘Torah of Life’ means a Torah that gives a directive to every man and woman in his or her daily life” — in their individual lives and most certainly in the life of the community. Some of the subjects in the Torah might not appear at first glance to be relevant to actual life today, or to our present situation. After closer examination, however, one can find an aspect that corresponds to 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.

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”5 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] further promises 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, that 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 these children. Their goal is the goal of Achaz:8 “If there are no children, there will be 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 [that the Rebbe Rayatz made] in those days is in force: that by virtue of self-sacrifice and fearless resistance in the fulfillment of the Torah and its commandments, and especially for the sake of education, all the plots and decrees “[which seek to cause] the Torah to (G‑d forbid) be forgotten among the Jewish people and that they should (G‑d forbid) be distanced from G‑dliness” will be of no avail. Indeed, the children will become “signs and wonders among Jewry,” and “the foundation [enabling] ‘Your people [to] all be righteous.’”10

Such self-sacrifice is so powerful that it makes 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