Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1969 — Health

By the grace of Hashem,

Fifth light of Chanukah 5713,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the Neshei uVnos Chabad*[1],

upon whom Hashem will bestow long life,

Greetings and blessings,

On the occasion of Chanukah* and as a gift for this festival, the Beis Rebbi*[2], in Yiddish, which has just appeared, has been sent to you.

I hope that during your meetings, you will make ample use of this book, in order to know better the life and work of our Rebbeim, the "Patriarchs of Chabad," whose merit will protect us. In this way, you will be able to draw more advantageously from their source of living waters, to better assume your role as a woman or young woman of Chabad, to spread the clarity of Torah* and mitzvos* in the spirit of the teaching of Chabad, not only in your own home, but also in all your environment.

All is the effect of divine hashgachah pratis*, and this also applies to the fact that the Beis Rebbi* was published during the month of the liberation of Chabad[3], in particular during the days of Chanukah*. One can certainly draw a lesson from this[4].

Women are obligated to kindle the lights of Chanukah* on the same basis as those of Shabbos*. Now, the two are distinguished, in particular, by the fact that the former are kindled after sunset, when night falls, whereas the latter are already shining during the day, before sunset.

Moreover, on the eve of Shabbos*, one always kindles the same number of lights, whereas, each evening, the number of Chanukah* lights increases.

This lesson is therefore the following. One cannot be content to illuminate one's own home with the clarity of Torah*, of mitzvos*, and of the luminary of the Torah[5], its profound light which is Chassidus*. One must also illuminate the "street."

This is what the lights of Chanukah* allude to, which are kindled "at the doorway of one's house, toward the outside." Furthermore, when the street is dark, one cannot be content with a single light. One must constantly add a new one, enlarge the forces, broaden the accomplishments, in accordance with the conception of Chabad, which is based on the love of Hashem, the love of Torah*, and the love of one's fellow.

I hope that, in the image of the Chanukah* lights, your accomplishments will multiply. In this way, you will receive the clarity of Hashem for yourself and for all the members of your family. You will receive the blessings for health, children, and prosperity.

With my blessing,

Notes

[1] See letter no. 1869.

[2] Biography of the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, and the Tzemach Tzedek.

[3] Of 19 Kislev.

[4] See, in this regard, letter no. 1957.

[5] Of Chassidus.