Weekly Letter: A Leap Year and Its Connection to Chinuch
As we begin the new school year, which is a Leap Year – we share an important message which the Rebbe gives about a Leap Year and its connection to chinuch.
By the Grace of G-d
Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar I, 5733
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
…….It has often been noted that the time element in any event in Jewish life, especially one connected with Torah and chinuch, has a special relevance and message. This rule applies to the fact that we are in the midst of a Leap Year, containing two months of Adar.
The underlying reason for periodic “Leap Years” in our Jewish Calendar is that our Calendar is determined by the Lunar Year, which is about 11 days shorter than the Solar Year. But inasmuch as the Torah requires us to observe our Festivals in their due season – Pesach in the spring, Succos in autumn, etc. – a periodic adjustment is neesaary to make up the deficiency between the Lunar and the Solar years.
Herein also lies an important lesson. For not only does the extra month fully makeup the deficiency, but it usually provides also an advance “on account” of the following year.
The lesson is two-fold: A person must form time to time take stock of his accomplishments in the past, with a view to ascertain what he has omitted to do. The first principle to remember is, therefore, that it is never too late to make good past deficiencies. Secondly, that it is not enough to make up a deficiency; it is also necessary to make an extra effort as an advance on account of the future and continue form strength to strength.
If this is true in all human affairs, how much more so in matters of Torah and mitzvos and, especially, in the area of chinuch – the vital link in the preservation of our eternal Torah and heritage and the continuity of our people. Moreover, in the present day and age it is quite obvious that Torah-true chinuch is the only way to ensure that our children, boys and girls, will remain ours and that they will grow and flourish like the proverbial tree planted by water, with deep strong roots that can withstand all winds and storms and will not fail to bear good fruits and the fruits of fruits to all generations to come.
In the spirit of the above, may each and all of us take a “ leap” forward in our advancement in Torah and mitzvos, as well as in our endeavors to strengthen true Yiddishkeit in general and Torah-true chinuch in particular, to the fullest extent of our capacity to meet the challenge of the present critical times.
With blessing for hatzlocho
and good tidings,
Signed/ Menachem Schneerson
