Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9507

By the grace of Hashem, Sunday

of the Parasha* Beha'alotecha* 5728,
"when you light the lamps"
Brooklyn, New York,

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

I bless and greet you,

This time, your annual dinner is taking place right after Shabbat* Parasha* Beha'alotecha*[1], and this letter is also written during the week linked to this Parasha*, presenting the lighting of the lamps.

In general, there are three categories of lights that one is enjoined to kindle[2]. There are, first of all, those of the Menorah*, which are in the Temple. The Mitsva* of doing so was entrusted to Aharon and his descendants, the Kohanim*. But these lights shone only when the Temple existed.

There are, in addition, the lights of Chanukah*, whose Mitsva* was enacted for all[3] Jews, in every era. This Mitsva* is observed each year, during the eight days of Chanukah*. And there are, finally, the lights of Shabbat* and the festivals[3], those which a woman kindles on the eve of these days, throughout the year.

One kindles a light in order to spread light[4]: "the candle is a Mitsva* and the Torah* is a light"[3], to spread the clarity of Torah* and Mitsvot*, so that the Almighty causes His Presence to dwell not only in the Temple, but also within every Jewish home and in every Jewish heart[5].

This underscores once more the decisive role entrusted to a Jewish woman, charged with illuminating her home with the light of Torah* and Mitsvot*, so that this home may be the dwelling of the divine Presence. And this idea clearly establishes the importance of your action in supporting the holy Torah* institutions of the Lubavitch movement, which gives you a share in the great and far-reaching achievements of these institutions.

May Hashem cause this merit to protect each of you, may your annual celebration be a great success, and may each of you together with the members of your family be blessed in all your needs, from His full, open, holy and generous hand[6]. With my blessing for success, as well as to give me good news,

M. Schneerson

Notes

(1) See Likkutei Sichot*, vol. 8, p. 287.
(2) See the Reshimot*, vol. 149, from p. 5, as well as letter no. 1957.
(3) The Rebbe emphasizes the words: "all," "the lights of Shabbat and the festivals" and "the candle is a Mitsva and the Torah, a light."
(4) Proverbs 6:23. See the Zohar, vol. 2, p. 166a and Rashi's commentary on tractate Shabbat 23b.
(5) See the Reshit Chochmah*, Gate of Love, at the beginning of chapter 6.
(6) According to the text of the third blessing of Grace after Meals.