The text of this letter was sent to various individuals, personally addressed to each one.

ב"ה,
Pesach Sheni [14 Iyar], 5711,
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

Enclosed is the kuntreis for Lag BaOmer,1 which is approaching. You will certainly share it with people at large, bringing merit to the many, in an appropriate manner.

Several reasons are given for the rejoicing of Lag BaOmer and its celebration.2 For us, what is significant is only the reason given in the writings of the AriZal and cited in Chassidus:3 that this day is the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai — the hilula4 of Rabbi Shimon:5

At that time,6 he reached the apex and the summit of all his spiritual peaks…. This was the point of his study with his companions at that time…. A ray of the light of Mashiach… shined within him.7

Every year, on this day, the same [spiritual] circumstances are aroused, as is well known.

The advantage of the present generations — although one could ask, “Has the generation improved?”8 — is that in the earlier generations, permission to reveal mystic teachings was not granted to anyone other than Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his companions. In these later generations, by contrast, it is permitted — and indeed, a mitzvah — to reveal pnimiyus haTorah, the Torah’s inner, mystic dimensions.9 And it is specifically through this study that we will be redeemed from this exile in mercy.10

Fortunate is the man who, on this special day, the day of the revelation of pnimiyus haTorah, reinforces and increases his strength by establishing fixed study sessions in pnimiyus haTorah, both for himself and with close associations with friends;11 i.e., to have an influence on others, to the extent of your capacity, to also do so.

The light within this study12 will also enliven one’s involvement with the external dimension of the Torah,13 and [our Divine service of] “know[ing] G‑d in all our ways.”14 In this way, we will know G‑d and know what G‑d demands of us, be it in prayer, in Torah study, in the observance of the mitzvos, and our conduct throughout the entire day in all the particulars of our actions.

With blessings and with greetings to the entire fellowship,

M. Schneerson