Weekly Letter: The Symbolic significance of the Key
In our parsha regarding the obligation to appoint public servants – judges and police, we share a letter of the Rebbe to the newly elected mayor of an American city. In it, the Rebbe thanks the mayor for the honor of presenting him with the Key of the City and explains the responsibilities that come with it and the symbolic significance of the Key. The Rebbe gives the mayor his blessings and reminds him of his duty as mayor – to benefit all the citizens of the city, to each and every segment of the city, including the Jewish community.
By the Grace of G-d
22nd of Shevat, 5734
Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Honorable
Office of the Mayor
Worcester, Mass.
Greeting and Blessing:
I was gratified to see you at the recent farbrengen of Yud Shevat, and in addition to having personally thanked you for the distinct honor of being presented with the Key of your City in behalf of the citizens of your city, I wish here to reiterate briefly in writing some of the sentiments I expressed on that occasion.
I am, of course, cognizant of the fact that the recipient of such an honor receives at the same time an added obligation and responsibility. In this case it surely is in that it calls for an increased activity of our Lubavitch Movement in your city, which has for so many years in the past contributed to the strengthening of the educational and moral fiber of the Jewish community, which is at the same time also of benefit to the general population of the city. For, as is well known, a Jew considers it his duty to further the moral and ethical forces of the community in which he lives, or, as these values are generally known as the “Seven Noahide Laws” with all their ramifications, which are the foundation of a viable human society, based on law and order, justice and equality. However, those values are understood as having been given by G-d, the Supreme Authority, to whom all human beings are accountable. Without this Divine Authority, no man-made laws can truly be enforced, or even have absolute validity. A human being is naturally subjective and corruptible, as has often been demonstrated, especially in the case of the German nation, which had long been considered one of the most illustrious and advanced in matters of science and philosophy etc.
The above is also reflected in the symbolic presentation of the Key of the City. For a key has two purposes: to open doors in order to admit good things, and to close doors in order to keep out undesirable things. This is also the key to true human happiness, which has been revealed to humanity by G-d and entrusted into everyone’s hands.
In view of the confidence that the citizens of Worcester have shown in you, recognizing your qualities and capacities by electing you Mayor of the city, may G-d grant that you should utilize your capacities in the fullest measure for the benefit of all the citizens, and for the benefit of each and every segment of it, including the Jewish community, and that you should achieve this in good health and with inspiration.
With blessing,
