By the Grace of G‑d
Chai - 18 - Elul, 5712 [September 8, 1952]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

To All My Brethren,
Wherever You Are, G‑d Bless You All.

Shalom u'Brocho:

I send you herewith my prayerful wishes for a happy and pleasant New Year, may it bring blessings to us all.

At the end of this Shemittah (Sabbatical) Year, and on the threshold of the New Year, we are reminded of the great Mitzvah, which is "a strong pillar and a great credit to our religion" (Sefer Hachinuch) - the Mitzvah of Hakhel, when all the people, men, women, and children gathered during the Festival of Sukkoth at the holy place in Jerusalem - may it be rebuilt by our righteous Messiah, speedily in our time — to hear selected portions of the Torah, portions inspiring to piety, love and appreciation of the Torah, the observance of the Mitzvoth, particularly the Mitzvah of Tzedoko.

Although at all times we are commanded to bring up our children in the way of the Torah and Mitzvoth, the Mitzvah of Hakhel, coinciding with this season, impresses upon us our duties towards the children with especial force and timeliness.

Therefore, let every Jewish father and mother, every Rabbi and leader, every communal worker and person of influence, heed the call of the Mitzvah of Hakhel: to gather the masses of Jewish children and bring them to the Yeshivoth, Talmud Torahs and Torah - true educational institutions; to increase the Torah-Tzedoko, the support of true Torah institutions and ensure their existence and growth, in order that all Jewish children boys and girl, be brought up in the spirit of piety and love for G‑d, love for the Torah and Mitzvoth, love for one another.

In the merit of this, the Almighty will favor us and enable us very soon to fulfill the Mitzvah of Hakhel in the Beth Hamikdosh in Jerusalem, rebuilt by our Righteous Messiah, Amen.

With blessings to you and from you for a Happy and Pleasant Year, Ksivah Vachasimah Toivo,

Menachem M. Schneerson