7311 —תפקיד הנשים היהודיות ובית רבקה בתורה ובחסידות

B"H, Eve of Shabbat Kodesh Mevarchim Chodesh Sivan, 5720.

Brooklyn, NY.

To the activists and friends of the Beis Rivkah schools in general, and to the participants in the eighteenth annual banquet of the Beis Rivkah schools in particular—may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

This year’s annual Beis Rivkah banquet is taking place tomorrow, after Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Sivan—the month of receiving the Torah—and just a few days before the 200th yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of the Baal Shem Tov z"l, on the first day of Shavuos, Zman Matan Toraseinu (the time of the giving of our Torah).

These two moments—Matan Torah and the passing of the Baal Shem Tov—hold special significance for the Beis Rivkah institutions and their activists, supporters, and friends. This is especially so considering that in Torah generally, and in Chassidus specifically, the Jewish woman occupies a very important place.

At Matan Torah, Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to first address the women and then the men: "Ko somar leBeis Yaakov" (thus you shall say to the house of Yaakov—meaning women), "veTaged liBnei Yisrael" (and tell to the children of Israel—the men). The Jewish woman and mother, as akeres habayis (foundation of the home), has both a great responsibility and a great merit to strengthen and secure the foundations of Torah and mitzvos in every Jewish home.

Also in the revelation and development of Chassidus and its movement, Jewish women and mothers have played a very important role—as is well known to all familiar with the lives and work of the founders of Chassidus in general and Chabad Chassidus in particular. A living example is found in the story of Rachel, grandmother of the Alter Rebbe—the founder of Chabad, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch—as told in connection with this 200th yahrzeit in part two of "Zichronos" by my father-in-law, founder of Beis Rivkah institutions.

The approach of Chabad—and ensuring a secure future for all Israel—requires that Jewish daughters receive a thorough Jewish-Chassidic education. The Beis Rivkah schools are those institutions that carry out this mission.

All who help support and expand these institutions thus have a great share in hafatzas hamaayanos—the spreading forth of Torah’s wellsprings illuminated with inner light and vitality from Chassidus—which also prepares us for true and complete redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu. Every new effort in this direction opens new channels for Hashem’s blessings in all one needs—both materially and spiritually.

Blessings for good news and for receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Jewish women play an essential role in transmitting Torah values. Supporting Beis Rivkah means strengthening chassidic education for future generations—a key preparation for redemption through Moshiach.