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to Torah, Yud-Bais Tanonuz teaches that a Jew who is merely on the level of a fence is also important.

There is another connection between the two dates. Our sages tell us (Megillah 13b) that "G-d reveals the medicine be­ fore the blow." Yud-Bais Tammuz is the medium whose celebration enables the seventeenth of Tammuz, the blow, to be transformed into "a day of rejoicing" in Messianic times.

The above provides a practical lesson for our behavior. We have to stand firm in all matters of Yiddishkeit, without being affected by any difficulties, conscious that we are doing what G-d wants, acting as His emissaries. This resolute stand must extend even to a mere fence to the Torah and even when challenged by a powerful country. The strength to carry on this service is derived from the blessing of the month of Tammuz. Even if one's initial efforts do not seem to meet with success, one must be conscious that "If he comes to purify himself, he is helped from Above" and he will soon see the fruit of his work. Through this course of action, we will hasten the complete and true redemption led by Moshiach, speedily in our days.

2. The above relates to the blessing of the month of Tammuz every year. This year, the date on which Shabbos Mevorchim falls is the 23rd of Sivan, and the portion of the Torah Shelach is read on that day. The book of Esther specifically mentions the 23rd of Sivan. (F) "In the third month, the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day thereof, the scribes of the king were called, and it was written exactly what Mordechai had dictated to the Jews, as well as to the governers... throughout 127 provinces," (8:9) annulling the decrees which the king under Haman's influence had issued. On this day, it was publicly announced that those decrees, even though they were "written and sealed with the king's ring," were no longer valid. The very same king who had made the decrees had annulled them. Furthermore, he himself had commanded his couriers and horsemen to hurry and spread his new decree through­ out the kingdom. We can draw a lesson from this, connecting these events with those of Yud-Bais Tammuz. As mentioned above, the Previous Rebbe showed the way to take a firm stance even if challenged by a powerful nation. In a similar fashion, the twenty-third of Sivan teaches us that even when in Golus and being the servants of Achashverosh, we must follow Mordechai's example, neither bowing

(F) This gives it a connection not only with adults, but with children. On the contrary, the children play a very important role in the reading of the Megillah. Their noisemaking, their rattling of 'gragers' is given prominence to the point where it is allowed even though there is the possibility that it will prevent a portion of the Megillah from being heard.

STUDENTS' TRANSLATION - UNEDITED