6037 - The Vital Role of the Jewish Woman

The Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, letter number 6,037.
Baruch Hashem, the sixth of Shvat, 5718, Brooklyn.

The Rebbe writes this letter to the Brunswick and East New York Ladies’ Auxiliary for Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch. This was the women’s support group for the Yeshiva. In earlier generations, almost every yeshiva had a Ladies’ Auxiliary that raised funds and provided vital support. The Rebbe addresses them with the blessing Hashem aleihem yichyu—with blessing and peace.

The Rebbe writes that it was with pleasure that he received the announcement about the annual banquet, which was to take place during the week of Parshas Beshalach. This is the week of Shabbos Shira, when we read the Song of Az Yashir. In fact, the banquet was scheduled for Wednesday, which corresponds to Revi’i, the section of the parsha that contains Az Yashir Moshe. Since Revi’i is read on Wednesday—Revi’i baShabbos—this is precisely the portion where the Shira appears.

The Rebbe then explains the significance of the conclusion of the Shira. We know that everything follows the ending. The completion of the song is the song of the prophetess Miriam. Without Miriam’s song, Moshe Rabbeinu’s song would not be complete. Miriam’s song, sung with joy and simcha, together with all the women, completes the song of Moshe and the Jewish people. The Rebbe emphasizes that the end is what brings completion.

What is the Torah teaching us here? That women complete what men begin, bringing wholeness and perfection to the mission. The Holy Torah gives instruction to Jewish women in every generation: Jewish women have a great responsibility and privilege in the holiest and most pivotal moments in our history. The splitting of the sea was a preparation for receiving the Torah and for the divine revelation at Mount Sinai—and the Jewish women played a crucial role in that preparation.

The Rebbe continues: today as well, we are on the road to the divine revelation through Moshiach Tzidkeinu, speedily in our days. How do we prepare? Through Torah and mitzvos, and through the inner dimension of Torah as illuminated by the teachings of Chassidus. This is precisely why Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim were established, and why they were brought to America by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose yahrzeit also falls during this week, on Yud Shvat.

Just as the women played a central role at the splitting of the sea—through song, joy, and inspiration—preparing the Jewish people for Matan Torah, so too today Jewish women prepare Klal Yisrael by supporting the Yeshiva, which teaches the inner dimension of Torah and Chassidus. The Rebbe expresses the hope that these ideas will encourage each woman to increase her efforts for the benefit of the Yeshiva, with self-sacrifice and joy.

At the same time, the Rebbe urges them to strengthen all aspects of Torah and mitzvos with Chassidic warmth and light, each one in her own home, within her circle, and in her surroundings. In this way, divine blessings are drawn down, bringing success in personal matters as well—both physical and spiritual.

The Rebbe is not only encouraging support for the Yeshiva, which is the purpose of the gathering, but also emphasizing the importance of bringing the warmth and light of Chassidus into one’s own home.

Point Summary

• Completion of the Song: Miriam’s song represents the joy and completion that finalizes the mission begun by the men.
  
  

• Historical Responsibility: Jewish women have always played a central role in the most pivotal moments of Jewish history, including the preparation for receiving the Torah.
  
  

• Preparing for Moshiach: Supporting the inner dimension of Torah and Chassidic education through Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim is part of preparing for the final redemption.
  
  

• Chassidic Warmth at Home: Bringing the light and warmth of Chassidus into the home draws success in both physical and spiritual matters.