Dear reader,

In the first of three pre-Passover public letters he issued immediately following the first Gulf War 1991, the Lubavitcher Rebbe urged people worldwide to "give full attention to the miracles and wonders" which unfolded "before the eyes of all the nations."

In this letter, dated Adar 25, 5751 (March 11, 1991), the Rebbe states that "in view of the existing international conditions it seemed inevitable that... the war would engulf many nations and set off a new world-war, G‑d forbid — yet, in a most extraordinary turn of events, not only was a world-war prevented, but... victory came in a matter of days!"

"The victory was so wondrous," the Rebbe continues, "that not only was much bloodshed (as had been feared) avoided, but the enemy was forced to relinquish without further ado its booty and to free captives and hostages including some that had been held from before... Indeed, those who are 'insiders' — who know many details that do not reach the media — appreciate more deeply the marvels of the miracles and wonders in this our time and in these our days."

Not content with simply pointing out our responsibility to thank G‑d for these miracles, the Rebbe encourages all of us to become "even more strongly aware that this is the time of urgent preparedness for the fulfillment of the prophecy 'and the kingdom shall be G‑d's,' when all nations will recognize that... '(the world) has a Master' — a recognition that will lead 'all of them to call upon the Name of G‑d, to worship Him with one consent.'"

Furthermore, in his signature manner, the Rebbe urges everyone to reciprocate to G‑d by elevating our own "daily Jewish conduct to the level of the supra-natural... everyone, man and woman, elevated above their natural tendencies and habits, in the area of Torah study and doing Mitzvos with hiddur (excellence) in a manner of "multiple miracles," striving ever higher and still higher..."

Certainly this message is as timely now as it was then. We bring you the letter in its entirety, minus the rich and copiuos Hebrew footnotes.

FREE TRANSLATION

By the Grace of G‑d
Within three days of Shabbos-Kodesh
25th of Adar, on the eve of
the third day of the week, doubly good,
Sedra: Vayikro el Moshe, 5751
[March 11, 1991]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

To the Sons and Daughters of
Our People Israel, everywhere,
G‑d bless you all all!

Greeting and Blessing:

Coming from the days of Purim - days of miracles that G‑d wrought "in those days at this season," - and approaching the festival of Pesach, when we celebrate, the "Festival of Our Freedom," thanking G‑d for the miracles and wonders which He wrought in connection with Yetzias Mitzraim (our liberation from Egypt) -

It is now highly opportune to give full attention to the miracles and wonders which came to pass just recently around Purim time.

These were revealed miracles, obvious miracles, not only for Jews but also for all nations, "seen in all the corners of the earth"; everyone saw the great miracles that unfolded at this time.

The miracles of "those days" - in the days of Mordechai and Esther - were, as is well known, concealed in the natural order of events: from the beginning of Achashverosh's reign, to the third year of his reign, to the seventh year of his reign, to the month of Nissan in thetwelfth year of his reign and Esther's banquets for Achashverosh and Haman - all seemingly natural happenings per se. It is only after profound study of those events and perceiving them as one continuous and connected sequence that one is able to recognize the guiding Hand of G‑d. This is one of the reasons why there is no explicit mention of G‑d's Name in the entire Book of Esther (one of the 24 holy books of T'NaCh) - because the Miracle of Purim occurred in a manner of "concealment of (G‑d's) Countenance," as alluded to (according to one interpretation) in the verse,"And I will hide My face on that day," namely, that it refers to the Miracle of Purim - a miracle that was "clothed" and concealed in a natural "garb."

By contrast, the events during the months leading to (and up to the middle of) the month of Adar unfolded a clearly extraordinary miracle for the benefit of Jews as well as for the benefit of the entire world; a conspicuous miracle before the eyes of all the nations.

* * *

In view of the existing international conditions it seemed inevitable that not only would there be a declaration of war, etc., but that the war would engulf many nations and set off a new world-war, G‑d forbid - yet, in a most extraordinary turn of events, not only was a world-war prevented, but the war that had begun was quickly over!

While all signs pointed to the outbreak of a massive war, requiring a huge army with massive weaponry of the most advanced technology, and after everything was duly assembled and in place for a long war expected to last weeks and months - victory came in a matter of days!

The victory was so wondrous that not only was much bloodshed (as had been feared) avoided, but the enemy was forced to relinquish without further ado its booty and to free captives and hostages including some that had been held from before.

- Our Torah teaches and directs us to guard against speaking in terms of predicting evil. We pray that henceforth there will be only good tidings, in the kind of good that is revealed and obvious. -

Indeed, those who are "insiders" - who know many details that do not reach the media - appreciate more deeply the marvels of the miracles and wonders in this our time and in these our days.

* * *

In the course of the current year (5751) - which Jews have (by way of acronym) designated and assigned: ho'yo tehei shnat ar'enu nifla'ot ("It shall surely be a year of revealed wonders"); as also during the latter part of the preceding year (5750) - which was likewise designated ho'yo tehei shnat nissim ("It shall surely be a year of miracles"), we frequently emphasized the timeliness of our Sages' prediction (in Yalkut Shimoni on Isaiah, #499) concerning wars that would break out in the specified region of the world, which will signal the near arrival of the true and complete redemption through our righteous Moshiach.

In light of the aforementioned events and miracles, one should become even more strongly aware that this is the time of urgent preparedness for the fulfillment of the prophecy "and the kingdom shall be G‑d's," when all nations will recognize that "this mansion (the world) has a Master" - a recognition that will lead "all of them to call upon the Name of G‑d, to worship Him with one consent."

Especially that, as mentioned, we are now approaching the month of Nissan (from the Hebrew word nes, a miracle). Moreover, as our Sages point out, the name of the month (by its two letters nun, making it also readable forward and backward) indicates a "multiple of miracles" and "miracles within miracles". Thus it is certain that G‑d will show even greater miracles than heretofore.

And particularly when Jews also increase their own efforts to elevate their daily Jewish conduct to the level of the supra-natural, with everyone, man and woman, elevated above their natural tendencies and habits, in the area of Torah study and doing Mitzvos with hiddur (excellence) in a manner of "multiple miracles," striving ever higher and still higher.

Apropos of the above, we have an instruction right in the beginning of this week's Sedra (from the word seder, order): "If any person of you bring an offering to G‑d," as interpreted and taught by the Alter Rebbe: "If you bring an offering to G‑d," let the offering be of you, of yourself, by breaking out of one's habits and constraints, in order to dedicate oneself totally to Hashem.

Thus, the "supra-natural" behavior of every Jew in a manner of "revealed wonders" - open and manifest to all around, will hasten the fulfillment of the prophecy: "As in the days of your liberation from Mitzraim will I show you wonders," and G‑d will now fulfill His promise: "I have found David My servant, with My holy oil have I anointed him," followed immediately forthwith by the true and complete Geulo through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

With esteem and blessing of Hatzlocho and with blessing for a kosher and joyous Pesach,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/