8417 —תפקיד האשה היהודיה בהבאת השכינה אל הבית

B"H, Lag BaOmer, 5722.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

To all the chapters of Agudas Nshei U'Bnos Chabad everywhere, and especially to the participants in the seventh annual convention — may Hashem be upon you and grant you life — greetings and blessings!

This year's annual convention takes place right after Shabbos-Chazak, the conclusion of Sefer Vayikra, which is called Toras Kohanim and Sefer HaKorbanos. I hope this will set the proper "tone" for the convention.

The idea is: Jews in general, and each Jew individually, must be similar to a "Kohen," as Hashem commanded: "Ve'atem tiheyu li mamleches kohanim" (You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests). Just as a Kohen is chosen to engage in holy service not only for himself but also for his brothers — for all of Israel — so too every Jew is chosen to serve Hashem and has responsibility toward those around him.

Avodas Hashem — serving Hashem — does not mean separating oneself or excluding oneself from the world; it means serving Hashem within the world and together with the world, starting from one's own home. The home should be conducted so that the Shechinah rests there, as it says: "Ve'asu li mikdash v'shachanti b'socham" (They shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them).

This is achieved through conduct similar to korbanos. The idea of korbanos was that one would take things from his own possessions — an animal, flour, oil, wine, salt, etc. — and make them into a korban: an olah offering entirely for G‑d; a shelamim offering where after part was offered on the altar, the Kohen and the person who brought it would eat from it in purity.

This is how a Jewish home should be conducted in all its details; then the Shechinah rests there and it becomes a home blessed both materially and spiritually.

Bringing this into reality depends largely — and this is primarily — on the Jewish woman, the akeres habayis: bringing the Shechinah into her home and family life, raising children in this spirit.

May Hashem help you fulfill your mission fully and with chassidic warmth and vitality. In this way you will also bring closer the time when the Beis HaMikdash will be rebuilt and its service restored with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days.

With wishes and blessings that this convention and all chapters in general should fulfill all of these matters mentioned above successfully with joy and gladness of heart.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every Jewish woman has a unique mission to infuse her home with holiness by bringing in G‑d's presence through daily actions. This role parallels that of Kohanim serving in holiness for all Israel. Fulfilling this mission brings blessing to family life and hastens redemption.