Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9153

By the grace of Hashem,

Isru Chag* Shavuot[1] 5726,
"the time of the giving of our Torah,"
Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants at the annual dinner of the New York committee
for the teachers' seminary and girls' schools
of Kfar Chabad, in our Holy Land, may it be
restored and rebuilt, may Hashem grant you long life,

I bless and greet you,

On the occasion of your annual dinner, which will take place on the Sunday of Parshat Shelach*, I send you my sincere wishes that Hashem grant great success to this celebration and that this success be perceptible and tangible throughout the year[2]. This week's Sidra*, that of Shelach, recounts an event in which women once again distinguished themselves through their attachment to Hashem and did not imitate the behavior of the men[3].

Hashem had promised, through Moshe our teacher, to give Eretz Yisrael to the children of Israel. But the spies, by delivering a negative report, had weakened the hearts of the men. The women, however, maintained in full intensity their faith in the divine promise. This expressed itself concretely, in particular, when the daughters of Tzelofchad demanded a share of the Holy Land, as a later Sidra recounts. And our Sages, of blessed memory, pronounce[4] a warm praise of the positive attitude adopted by these faithful Jewish women. One can thus observe that there exist situations — often of the first importance, concerning the entire Jewish people — in which it falls to women to take an active part and to set an example for the men.

The role of women is particularly decisive[5] in the domain of education[6]. A Jewish woman possesses specific qualities and sensitivity, a particular benevolence and a maternal feeling toward children, especially when they are in need. First and foremost, they can contribute enormously to children in a direct way, materially and spiritually. But their indirect help is no less important, through the good example they offer and the motivation they inspire in men.

You will be protected by the merit of your action on behalf of the Kfar Chabad schools, founded by my father-in-law the Rebbe, whose merit protects us — an action you will surely strengthen and broaden, as is necessary in all domains of Torah and holiness. With Hashem's help, you will know success in your endeavor. In this way, you will obtain, together with all the members of your family, the satisfaction of your needs, both material and spiritual. With my blessing for success, and for good tidings,

M. Schneerson,

Notes

[1] The day after the festival.
[2] See Likkutei Sichot, vol. 8, p. 299.
[3] See, on this topic, letters no. 8992 and 8993.
[4] See Torah Shelemah*, Parshat Shelach §30.
[5] See, on this topic, Shnei Luchot HaBrit*, p. 44a, and Kuntras Chanoch La'Na'ar, from p. 34.
[6] The Rebbe emphasizes the word "education."