10339 —תפקיד הנשים היהודיות בגאולה וכוח החירות הפנימית

B"H, Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5732.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

To the editorial board of Di Idishe Heim — may they be blessed with life — blessings and peace! I was pleased to receive the news about the special Adar-Nissan edition that will mark the 13th anniversary of Di Idishe Heim. On this occasion, I send my greetings and blessings to the members of the editorial board, as well as to the staff and readers — may they live.

May Hashem Yisbarach help that this important organ will continue to fulfill its inner mission, and even more so in greater scope both in quantity and quality.

In connection with the months of Adar-Nissan, the Gemara expresses: "Somech Geulah l'Geulah" (juxtaposing redemption to redemption). This phrase highlights the inner point of both months: the redemption of Purim and the redemption of Pesach. As with all matters of Torah, which contain many lessons and hints, so too with this expression; one lesson is in understanding the very concept of geulah — redemption itself.

There are levels within geulah. The redemption of Purim released Jews from the decree "to destroy... on one day," but this redemption was limited only to that threat because Jews remained in exile (Achtai Avdei Achashverosh Anan — "We are still servants of Achashverosh"). On the other hand, the redemption from Egypt was a complete liberation until "u'Vnei Yisrael yotzim b'yad ramah" (the Children of Israel went out with an upraised hand).

This expression "Somech Geulah l'Geulah" also indicates that a Jew must know that every Jew has within their power to elevate the redemption of Purim to that of Pesach; meaning, to transform a limited redemption — when Jews are still in exile — into a complete geulah.

In other words: Even when outwardly — in material or external matters — a Jew is in exile, inwardly — in essential matters, in all aspects of soul-life — he can be and must be completely free. This depends on oneself. Moreover, by bringing geulah into spiritual life through Torah and mitzvos in daily life, one brings about geulah also in material life: liberation from decrees, from worries about livelihood, health concerns, etc.

Another common point between these two redemptions is the role of Jewish women and daughters. As our Sages say: "Af hen hayu b'oto hanes" (Pesachim 108b) (they too were part of that miracle), and as Rashi explains there: "In reward for righteous women of that generation they were redeemed (Pesach)... through Esther they were redeemed (Purim)," showing that women had a central role in these redemptions.

A practical lesson from all this — as from all matters in Torah, Toras Chaim (a teaching for life) — guidance for daily living: Even now during this present exile there remains this aforementioned possibility to be entirely free in all matters connected with Judaism. And even now during Ikvesa d'Meshicha — these last days before geulah through Moshiach Tzidkeinu — women have a central role in the general geulah for all Israel.

And we have assurance that conduct by righteous women together with all Jews following Torah and mitzvahs imbued with light and vitality from Toras HaChassidus will bring closer and draw down the true and complete geulah through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

Blessings for success and good tidings,
M. Schneersohn

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that every Jew can achieve true inner freedom through Torah and mitzvos even while still physically in exile. He emphasizes women's vital role in both past redemptions and our imminent future geulah through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.