Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7751 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

15 Elul* 5721,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the association of women and young women of Chabad*,

the group of ..., may Hashem grant you long life,

I bless you and greet you,

We are currently in the middle of the month of Elul*, when every Jew, man or woman, must establish a moral assessment of how the year that has just elapsed passed in a positive manner and prepare an adapted program for the coming year, for good and for blessing, taking the firm resolution to put it into practice in one's life.

Among Jews, everything is linked to the Torah*, which is a Torah* of life, a Torah* indicating in what manner one must live, which makes life worthy of that name, which specifies what conduct one must adopt in every situation and at every minute of daily existence.

* * *

We have already explained precisely that one of the objectives assigned to the women and young women of Chabad* is the encouragement and strengthening of husbands, brothers, and sons in their study of the Torah*. Such an accomplishment and such a Mitzvah* are incumbent upon all, young or old, rich or poor.

This study of the Torah* must be daily and as broad as possible. Furthermore, like everything that concerns Judaism, it will be conducted with joy and enthusiasm.

* * *

The specific connection that exists between women and the accomplishment of Torah* study is the following:

A) Very often, the husband does not study the Torah* as he should because he must devote his time to earning his livelihood, in order to provide for all the needs of the home and the family. Very frequently, one thinks that these are indeed needs, or one wishes to persuade oneself that they are. It is therefore indispensable and important that the wife, the mistress of the house, encourage her husband in study, that she insist that it be daily, as intense as possible, even if some material limitations result in the standard of living of the home and the family. Such study is assuredly the appropriate means for ensuring family happiness.

B) Even if the encouragement and the request to study the Torah* in the proper manner are expressed verbally only from time to time, the attitude adopted daily toward the husband must, by itself, suffice to recall them permanently.

C) By strengthening husbands in Torah* study, by demanding it of them, by sending sons to good Cheders* and good Yeshivos*, women receive a share of this study, or more precisely, of the Mitzvah* of studying it.

Furthermore, to all of this is added the fact that study is the means of knowing what conduct it is fitting to adopt, as the Laws of Torah* Study of the Alter Rebbe* explain, at the end of the first chapter. In this sense, women also receive a share of the reward that is accorded for this Mitzvah*. Now, as this Mitzvah* is itself more important than all others, its reward is as well.

* * *

I ask you, in these days, to apply yourselves to motivating husbands, brothers, sons, so that they strengthen and broaden their daily study of the revealed part of the Torah* and of Chassidus*, to make an effort in this direction. They will conduct it with enthusiasm and joy.

And, may Hashem, Who gives the Torah*, multiply and strengthen the blessings accorded to each person, in all their needs, both material and spiritual. May He grant to each person, within all of Israel, to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year. With my blessing to give good tidings of each one of you, in all that has just been said, and wishing you to be inscribed and sealed for a good year,

M. Schneerson,

P.S.: It would be good for those who request that their name and those of the members of their family be mentioned near the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us, during these days of mercy and goodwill, to enclose with this request the list of their husband's studies, which will also be mentioned at the same time as this request for a blessing.

Letter of the secretariat of the Rebbe*, concerning the instruction stated above

By the grace of Hashem,

18 Elul* 5721,

Brooklyn, New York,

To all the Chassidim*, may Hashem grant you

long days and good years,

I greet you and bless you,

In accordance with what was transmitted to us by the Rebbe* Shlita*, we formulate the following remark and request. The requests for a blessing that will be addressed, in particular during the days of mercy and goodwill, or on this occasion, will be a prayer, a request that man formulates to Hashem in order to obtain a revelation emanating from the source. Each person will therefore specify what is his study of the Torah*.

As is known, the Torah* and its study belong to the middle path and they achieve both the elevation of matter and the revelation that is obtained here below. This is, furthermore, in conformity with its primary objective, with the directives issued to man on how to serve Hashem, here below. By acting in this manner, as it is said: "If you walk in My statutes," one can obtain the revelation, "I will give your rains in their season." The revelation of Hashem will respond to the effort of men, for, according to the formulation of the revealed part of the Torah*, "the Holy One, blessed be He, acts measure for measure." The same will also apply to the revelation that is obtained subsequently.

Of course, it is not established in advance that it will be so, which should not come to pass (note 1: For Hashem cannot be subject to constraint). However, it is indeed a certainty, a necessity that it be so, if one may express oneself in this manner, since the principle is established by the Torah*. And, you will see, on this subject, the Likkutei Torah*, of the Alter Rebbe*, Parshas* Devarim*, at page 84b, which says: "More precisely, it is so every day, when one studies the Torah*" (note 2: The assurance is therefore given that the revelation can be obtained at every moment). You will consult this text. With our respects and our blessing, to be inscribed and sealed for a good year,

The secretariat,

Self-evidently, it would be good and judicious for those who have already sent their request for a blessing to complete them, at the earliest, by transmitting these details.

הלכה ב׳ :הלכותגירושין.

את השם הזה במלוא המידה ,כך שהוא יהי׳ בית לשכינה האלוקית ,כפי

שהקב״ה הבטיח ושכנתי בתוכם -אשכון ביניהם ,אצל כל יהודי ובתוך

כל בית יהודי.

והיכן שהשכינה שורה ,שם שורה גם ברכה והצלחה ,גשמית

ורוחנית.

על פי הוראת חכמינו במשנה )אבות ,סוף פרק ה( ,חמש שנים היא

תקופה שמוכיחה את פירות ההצלחה בתחום ההשפעה והחינוך .יעזור

הקב״ה ,שההצלחה של ״די אידישע היים״ בחמש השנים הראשונות,

תהי׳ סימן ברכה והצלחה לעתיד ,ובמידה הולכת וגדלה ,כפי שאכן

בימים אלה -מודגש במיוחד במצות נר חנוכה; כל לילה מחנוכה צריך

להתוסף עוד נר ,המזכיר לנו שתמיד צריך להפיץ נר מצוה ותורה אור

במידה הולכת וגדלה,

וכפי שכ״ק מו״ח אדמו״ר זצוקללה״ה נבג״מ זי״ע אומר :״יש

להקשיב למה שהנרות מספרים״.

בברכה להצלחה -ובאופן של -מוסיף והולך ואור,

מ .שניאורשאהן