6044 - The Role of Jewish Women in the Final Redemption

Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, Letter no. 6044
Baruch Hashem. The eighth day of Shevat, 5718, Brooklyn.

As the Rebbe writes, we are approaching the Yom HaHilula, the yahrzeit—on the 10th of Shevat—of his father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory, with all his holy titles. That year, Yud Shevat fell on Friday. This letter was written two days earlier, on Wednesday, the 8th of Shevat. That Friday was Erev Shabbos Kodesh, during Parshas Beshalach, known as Parshas Shira, as it contains “Az Yashir Moshe u’vnei Yisrael”—the Song of the Sea, including the song of the men and the women.

The Rebbe writes that he wishes once again to encourage and strengthen each of the N’shei u’Bnos Chabad—the women and daughters of Chabad—may they live, among all of the Jewish people. He urges them to strengthen their work for Yiddishkeit in general, and in particular according to the program and framework of their local branches: to reinforce and also to expand their activities. Given the circumstances of our times—the final hours of this dark and bitter exile, the era of ikvesa d’Meshicha—there is a demand for a broader, deeper, and more expansive effort on behalf of Yiddishkeit.

The Rebbe explains that standing as we are in the heels of Mashiach, within a dark and bitter galus, the circumstances themselves compel us to broaden and deepen our work for Yiddishkeit. This work must be illuminated and permeated with Chassidic light and warmth. As the Rebbe notes elsewhere, both quality and quantity are required—reaching as many as possible. And just as in all critical moments of Jewish history, so too now, Jewish women, in accordance with the paths and guidance of our holy Torah, must take an active role in this mission.

Throughout Jewish history, women have played a decisive role at pivotal moments. So too in our generation, as we stand before the revelation of Mashiach, Jewish women are called upon to be fully involved. This lesson is also drawn from the Torah portion of the day, Parshas Shira. On that Wednesday, when the Rebbe wrote this letter, the section of the Song at the Sea was being read.

The song begins with Moshe Rabbeinu and the Jewish men, but how does it conclude? We know that the conclusion carries special significance. The parsha ends with the song of Miriam the prophetess—Miriam’s song—sung with joy, with all the women. This completes and crowns the song of Moshe and the Jewish people. Though the song begins with the men, it concludes with the women.

The Rebbe notes that this idea was explained by the Previous Rebbe in a talk delivered on Acharon Shel Pesach in the year 5709, recorded in Likkutei Dibburim. From this, the Rebbe explains, the Torah teaches a lesson for all generations: the Jewish woman carries a great responsibility and a great merit during the holiest moments and most significant events in our people’s history.

The splitting of the Sea of Reeds was a preparation for the receiving of the Torah and for the Divine revelation at Mount Sinai. It was a pivotal moment, and Jewish women played an essential role in that preparation. Likewise today, we are on the path toward the ultimate Divine revelation through Mashiach Tzidkeinu, speedily in our days. The preparation for this comes through Torah and mitzvos, illuminated by Chassidus.

A proper awareness of this great merit and responsibility will surely give each woman the encouragement to increase her work with joy, Chassidic warmth, and light—each one in her own home and in her surroundings. Through this, Divine blessings are drawn down for success in personal matters as well.

As the Rebbe emphasized here—and also in an earlier letter—the women are the culmination of the song. From this Torah portion, read on the very day this letter was written, the Rebbe urges women to draw strength, assume leadership, expand their efforts, and spread Chassidic warmth and light, as we advance on the path toward the coming of Mashiach.