9141 —תפקיד הנשים בתורה, ספירת העומר, וצמיחה רוחנית

B"H, 22 Iyar, 5726.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With pleasure I received the first issue of your booklet, and may it be G‑d's will that this be a good beginning. As with all matters of Torah and holiness, may this endeavor also be one of elevation and progress from strength to strength.

The booklet was prepared and published at an appropriate time—between Pesach and Atzeres (Shavuos)—when Jewish women and girls had a leading role in both festivals. As our Sages relate: in the merit of righteous women our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt so they could receive the Torah at Sinai. Before the Torah was given, Moshe Rabbeinu was commanded to speak first with "Beis Yaakov"—the women—and only afterward with "Bnei Yisrael"—the men.

The days of Sefirah between these two festivals are days that connect "the time of our freedom" to "the time of the giving of our Torah," days of ascent and progress from strength to strength as mentioned above. This is also hinted at in the way we count: not by ordinal numbers (today is the second day, third day, etc.), but by cardinal numbers—today is two days, three days, etc. Ordinal counting emphasizes order in time but not increase or completion; cardinal counting highlights that each day adds to and completes those before it until reaching ultimate perfection.

This is also hinted at in this week's Torah portion: "You shall count for yourself seven sabbatical years—seven years seven times," etc. (Vayikra 25:8). Just as this applies to years, so too does it apply every year during Sefirah—the days between Pesach and Shavuos. The number seven itself is a sign of completion, as hinted in Chana's song: "The barren woman has borne seven" (and its opposite is emphasized by the verse "she who had many children").

May it be G‑d's will that just as it was during the Exodus—in the merit of righteous women—so too now during these preparatory days for fulfilling the promise "As in the days when you left Egypt I will show him wonders" (Micah 7:15), and as Chana's song concludes: "The L‑rd will shatter His adversaries... He will exalt His anointed's horn," very soon.

With blessings for success and good news.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights women's central role in Jewish history and spiritual growth. He encourages continual advancement in holiness during Sefirah by emphasizing how each day builds upon the previous ones toward true completeness.