Michtav Klali – General Letter
B”H Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5712
Brooklyn, New York
For our brothers and sisters, Bnei Israel,
Wherever you are,
HaShem will be with you
Shalom and Blessing!
The days of Pesach are approaching.
Every occurrence in the world provides a lesson in wisdom and guidance to those who observe it – whether in matters between man and his Creator, between man and his fellow, or in both.
Thus, through proper reflection, it is easy to find such guidance in the Torah – for the word ‘Torah’ is derived from horaa (‘instruction’). It is a guide for life, as evidenced by its name, Torat Chayim (‘The Torah of Life’), and its mitzvot. This is especially true regarding the general themes found in the Torah.
One such matter – and a very special one – is the remembrance of the Exodus from Mitzrayim (‘Egypt’), which serves as a great foundation and a strong pillar of our Torah and our emunah (faith).
It is distinct from all other miracles in that we were warned to remember it (along with the splitting of the Sea) every day.
Furthermore, we were commanded to do it with a special addition at the start of Chag haPesach – on the night when the festival was sanctified.
There are many ideas to be learned here – from the event itself, and also from the manner and details of this event. And here I would like to emphasize only one point: a theme common to both the beginning and the end of the festival, which contains a practical instruction for our lives.
And this is relevant not only during the festival, but throughout the entire year.
And [indeed], this is the true purpose: to ensure that all the influences and ‘lights’ revealed during the festivals and special dates continue throughout the year – and in particular, the unique inspirations of Chag haPesach. »
For the very beginning of the laws and customs of the festival – as soon as it gets dark – is the Seder. And at the very start of the Seder, [we encounter] one of its most essential principles: the commandment of ‘v’higadta l’vincha’ (‘and you shall tell your son’).
We introduce changes and innovations to awaken the curiosity of the children. Furthermore, this obligation is not limited to the ‘wise son’ alone, it [encompasses all types] – ‘one wise and one wicked and one simple and one who does not know how to ask’. All of them must be gathered at the Passover Seder, where the father teaches each one according to this son’s individual knowledge and capacity to understand.
And this leads us to the conclusion of Pesach [and] the miracle of this day: when the Holy One, Blessed be He, split the sea for us. And [in that moment], every individual of Israel pointed with their finger and said: « This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him » (‘Shemot’, 15:2). And these very sons and daughters – those born and raised in the time of the hardship of the Galut – were the first to recognize HaShem.
The end of the festival is rooted in its beginning.
Each and every one must strive with all his might and energy, searching for ways, advice, and strategies (even if it means reversing one’s nature and changing one’s habits, as soon as it helps to reach the goal) – to ‘conquer’ the younger generation and to bring the sons and daughters of Israel to the Torah and the mitzvot – [all of them]: ‘one wise and one wicked, one simple and one who does not know how to ask’.
And then we are assured that « with our youth and with our elders we will go » (Shemot, 10:19) – toward the Geulah – « with our sons and our daughters ».
And [the same is true for] our generation, a generation that was born and raised during the hardships of the Galut, [severe] decrees, and destructions, Rachmana litzlan. And there are those who [still] raise [against us] – even against the survivors in order to destroy them. And in particular – against the children that HaShem gave and left us for ‘signs and wonders’ (so that the Torah would be fulfilled in Israel through them),
– something which will never happen! [And they pursue their goal] through [improper] education that calls
« evil good and good evil, presenting darkness as light and light as darkness », « bitter as sweet and sweet as bitter » (Yeshayahu, 5:20), « for they have rejected the law of the HaShem of Hosts » (Yeshayahu, 5:20).
It’s evident that the Holy One Blessed be He, will save them and will save us from their hand, and soon, in our days, through Mashiach Tzidkenu, this generation will merit to become the generation of the Geulah – the true Geulah,
as was the intention of our holy neviim (‘prophets’) [in saying]:
« Not by military force and not by physical strength » (Zechariah 4:6), but by the spirit of HaShem of Hosts,
And each one will recognize Him, will point with a finger and say:
« Behold, this is our God: we hoped for Him that He would save us; this is the Lord for Whom we hoped; let us rejoice and be happy with His salvation » (Yeshayahu, 25:9).
Wishing you a kosher and happy Pesach,
Menachem Shneerson
Translated from the original Hebrew. You can access the full text of the letter here.
