BH
Ninety years ago on Yud-Beis-Yud-Gimmel Tammuz- 12-13 July 1927 the Previous Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson was released from prison in Soviet Russia. He was arrested almost fours weeks earlier and sentenced to death on charges of rebelling against the state by teaching Torah and spreading Judaism throughout the land.
Just prior to his arrest the Rebbe called together nine of his very close chassidim and together with them (a minyan) they took an oath on a Torah that until their last breath they would make every effort to keep Judaism alive and vibrant throughout the land.
By a miraculous process including intervention by President Hoover of the USA the sentence was reduced to three years in exile in Kastrama, and eventually on 12 Tammuz he was completely freed and allowed to leave Russia.
The Previous Rebbe himself explained that his release was not just a private matter. One year after he was released, he wrote a letter to the chassidim about the celebration of these days. In the letter, the Previous Rebbe writes: “It was not myself alone that Hashem redeemed on Yud-Beis Tammuz, but also all those who love the Torah and fulfill its commandments, and also all those who bear the name ‘Jew.’ ”

This redemption was a victory for all Jews and for all time showing that when one is willing to self sacrifice their lives to Keep Torah Alive Hashem responds with miracles and Divine intervention and salvation.
Each Year in Lubavitch circles these days have became a festival = yom tov within the Lubavitch Chasidic movement and a celebration for entire world Jewry.
Immediately following his release, the Previous Rebbe began spreading Torah with increased energy, reaching out to all Jews throughout the world, and making them proud to be called Jews. Today 90 years later these days are a timely reminder for us to strengthen our connection with G-d thru increased Torah study observance of Mitzvos starting with the Rebbe’s 10 point Mitzvah Campaigns- The Rebbe’s 10 Mitzvah Campaigns http://www.chabad.org/…/jewish/10-Point-Mitzvah-Campaign.htm.
It is a timely message for each of us who are blessed to live in a free country to intensify our observance of Mitzvois ourselves and with our families and friends