11"1
The Lubavitcher Rebbe,
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, li"trY)
has issued a pre-Passover message
to world Jewry, regarding the wonders
of the Gulf war and its meaning.
Following is the complete text ofthefree English translation.
By the Grace of G-d
Within three clays of Shabbos-Kodesh
25th of Adar on the eve of the
third day of the week, doubly good,
Sedra: Vayikro el Moshe, 5751.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
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.
To the Sons and Daughters of Our
People Israel, everywhere,
* * *
G-d bless you all!
Greeting and Blessing:
Coming from the days of Purim— days of miracles that HaShem wrought "in those
days at this season," and approaching the Festival of Pesach, when we celebrate the
"Festival of Our Freedom," thanking HaShem 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 day"— in the days of Mordechai and Esther — were, as is well
known, concealed in the natural order of events: from the beginning of Achashver-
osh's reign, to the third year of his reign, to the seventh year of his reign, to the
month of Nissan in the twelfth year of his reign and Esther's banquets for Achashver-
osh 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 HaShem. 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 mariner of "concealment of (HaShem'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!
In the course of the current year (5751) — which Jews have (by way of acronym)
designated and assigned: lint? rlia79] ('It shall surely be a year of
revealed wonders"); as also during the latter part of the preceding year (5750)
— which was likewise designatecluiD]
Nnn
("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 Geulo through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
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 HaShem'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 HaShem, 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 HaShem 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
HaShem," as interpreted and taught by the Alter Rebbe: "I fyou bring an offering to
HaShem," 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 HaShem 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.
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!
With esteem and blessing of Hatzlocho and with
blessing for a kosher and joyous Pesach,
The victory was so wondrous that not only was much bloodshed (as had been feared)
/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/
LUBAVITCH FOUNDATION
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IN HONOR OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE, SHLITA, 11th OF NISSAN (March 26)
100 FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991