Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1515 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

Erev Yom Tov of Pesach 5712,

Brooklyn,

I bless and greet you,

On the occasion of Pesach, which we are about to celebrate, with all the Jewish people, I would like to wish you a kosher and joyous Yom Tov. May Pesach be for you truly a joyous Yom Tov.

You doubtless know what the Midrash relates, which explains that the Jews were freed from Mitzrayim* by the merit of the virtuous women of that time[1].

One of the meritorious acts of these women was the following. Without being affected by all the difficulties and the obscurity of the exile, especially during the last decades[2], they had unshakeable bitachon* in Hashem, were certain that He would keep His promise and would free them. They did not know when the geulah* would intervene and, from time to time, the decrees of Pharaoh became more severe, more inhuman.

This was particularly the case with the decisions that he took regarding the children, and, the most painful point, he said: "You shall cast into the river every child that shall be born." Yet their hope was not weakened by it. They occupied themselves with raising the young generation, without taking into account these brutalities, although they did not know how to save the children who would be born, how to circumvent the order to cast every child into the river.

This bitachon and this determination, setting aside all the obstacles raised by human rationality, was based on the fact that Hashem is the Master of the entire world. None can therefore rise up against Him. It is thus that these women raised tens, hundreds of thousands of children who, the first ones, "recognized Hashem," at the crossing of Yam Suf*, then received the Torah near Har Sinai* and thus constituted the Jewish people.

Each idea of the Torah delivers a teaching to all, particularly to us and to you. In the present case, it is fitting to strengthen one's bitachon in Hashem, Who alone directs the world. None can contradict His plans, even if nature gives one to think that it could be otherwise.

Hashem shall therefore keep His promise, and all those who are bound to Him shall have bitachon in Him, shall base their life upon Torah and mitzvos. From then on, He shall satisfy all their needs, shall grant them, in particular, children, who shall have long days and good years.

In Mitzrayim, one did not see, according to the rules of nature, how the geulah was possible. Yet their bitachon in Hashem was not diminished by this. The Jews had children and raised them, convinced that these would live long. One must wish that it be the same in our era. By strengthening our bitachon in Hashem, we shall all merit the true and complete geulah, by Mashiach Tzidkeinu*.

With my brachah* for a kosher and joyous Yom Tov of Pesach and for having much nachas* and health, for long days and good years,

Notes

(1) See the preceding letter, addressed to the women's organizations, while this one is intended for all women.

(2) Of the exile in Mitzrayim.