7909 —תפקידן של נשי ישראל בגאולה ובחינוך

B"H, Shalom u'Vrachah! [2 Iyar 5702]

Our Sages of blessed memory said: "In the merit of righteous women who were in that generation (of the Exodus from Egypt), Israel was redeemed from Egypt." They elaborate at length, describing how, despite the yoke of exile, the harshness of servitude, and decrees, they established flocks upon flocks of sons and daughters of Israel. They raised a generation that joyfully proclaimed in song: "Zeh E-li Ve'anvehu Elokei Avi Va'aromemenhu" ("This is my G‑d and I will glorify Him; the G‑d of my father and I will exalt Him").

The Holy One, blessed be He, has assured us: "Kimei Tzeischa Me'eretz Mitzrayim Arenu Niflaos" ("As in the days when you left Egypt, I will show you wonders")—in the future redemption that will come speedily in our days through our righteous Mashiach. "Kol Atin V'Nisin U'Gevuran D'avad Kudsha Brich Hu B'Mitzrayim Yaavid Lon L'Yisrael" ("All the signs, miracles, and mighty deeds that G‑d performed in Egypt He will do for Israel") "U'bizchus Yanukei D'vei Rav Yitkaf Cheilai L'isgabra," ("And through the merit of children who study Torah My strength will be intensified to prevail")—of King Mashiach. And just as then, so too now, this depends on the women of Israel. As explained in the sichah, it is in their hands—the fate of sons and daughters.

The role, duty, and privilege of Jewish women is that without fear from the darkness of exile or from those who wish to immerse—G‑d forbid—the souls of our sons and daughters in foreign structures contrary to the spirit of our forefathers' Judaism and opposed to faith in Hashem Echad (the One G‑d), Who gives—present tense—one Torah to one nation on earth—they should make their homes a dwelling place for His holiness and base their children's education on Torah and mitzvah foundations.

Then "Ima Ila'ah Yit'aret... U'Malka Meshicha Shaarei V'yiknosh Galuta Misifei Alma Ad Seifei Alma" ("The Supernal Mother is aroused... and King Mashiach dwells and gathers the exiles from one end of the world to another").

Menachem Schneersohn

Tiferes Sheb'Tiferes, 5712. Brooklyn, NY.

Printed as an introduction to a booklet containing a sichah from our master Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (for a group of Jewish women during his visit to Riga, 12–20 Adar 5694), published in Iyar 5712. This is the sichah mentioned below.

Summary

This letter teaches that Jewish women's steadfastness shapes future generations and hastens redemption. Their dedication to Torah values at home ensures spiritual continuity even amidst challenges.