Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9155

By the grace of Hashem,

15 Sivan 5726,
Brooklyn, New York,

To the Brownsville East New York women's association,
may Hashem grant you long life,

I bless and greet you,

Your annual dinner will take place on Monday 18 Sivan, which is approaching. May Hashem therefore bring it about that this celebration knows great success in every domain[1]. This year is that of Shemittah*[2], the seventh year, which is sanctified among years, just as the seventh day, Shabbat, is sanctified among days. There is, however, a difference[3]. During Shabbat, all work is forbidden, whereas during Shemittah, only field and orchard work is prohibited. All other work, for instance that of a domestic nature, is permitted. The purpose of the Shemittah year, like that of the Shabbat day[4], is "for Hashem"[2] — sanctified for Hashem. This means, above all, that the time freed by the cessation of agricultural work, which was the principal activity of Jews before the exile, was to be used for Divinity and holiness[5].

This yields another fundamental teaching, also conveyed by the Shemittah. On an "ordinary" day of the week, within daily existence, one must add in everything related to Divinity, to the point that it is justified to dedicate the entire year "for Hashem," just as Shabbat is "holy for Hashem"[6]. Just as the spirit and holiness of Shabbat must permeate all days of the week, just as Shabbat is the source of divine blessings for all days of the week[7], the spirit and holiness of Shemittah must likewise be reflected in all other years. It is in this way that one creates the channels for receiving Hashem's blessings, including for material needs.

For a Jewish woman, what has just been said takes on the following meaning. Even if she is not obligated to study Torah[8], she can and must introduce an addition in all domains of holiness within her home, of which she is also the "mistress of the house"[9], as well as in her endeavor to support Torah institutions — which is the raison d'être of your women's association. Moreover, you have the great merit of supporting the holy institutions of the Lubavitch Yeshivot, founded by my father-in-law the Rebbe, whose merit protects us, which are an inexhaustible source of Torah and holiness, including the inner dimension of Torah — Chassidut — and which set an example and serve as a model for other Torah and educational institutions.

May Hashem grant success to your endeavor, which you will surely carry out in ever-increasing proportions; may He fulfill all your needs, as well as those of your family members, with visible and tangible goodness, both materially and spiritually. With my blessing for success, and for good tidings,

M. Schneerson,

Notes

[1] See Likkutei Sichot, vol. 7, p. 358.
[2] The Rebbe emphasizes the words "that of Shemittah" and "for Hashem."
[3] See also, on this topic, the Sefer HaMitzvot of the Tzemach Tzedek, Mitzvah of the prohibition of agricultural work during the seventh year, Derech Mitzvotecha*, from p. 35a.
[4] According to the verses Behar 25:2–4, the Torat Kohanim*, and Rashi's commentary. See also letter no. 9137.
[5] See the commentary of the Sforno* on this passage in Parshat Behar.
[6] Beshalach 16:23.
[7] See the Zohar*, vol. 2, pp. 63b and 88a.
[8] See tractate Kiddushin* 29b and 34a.
[9] See Midrash Bereishit Rabba ch. 71 §2 and the Zohar, vol. 1, p. 154a.