Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7059 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem,

30 Tishrei* 5720,

First day of Rosh Chodesh* Marcheshvan*,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the members of the women's department of the Beis Rivkah* schools,

may Hashem grant you long life,

I bless you and greet you,

I have learned with pleasure of the annual gathering of your various groups — those of Crown Heights, East New York, Brownsville, and West Side — which is being held today and on the following days of this month. It is particularly positive, right after Tishrei*, a month filled with festivals, in this first "secular" month of the year, Marcheshvan*, that the women renew their commitment to the Beis Rivkah* schools without losing time. This also gives me the hope that this important and sacred action will be fully carried out under the influence and the ascendancy of the month of Tishrei*, the first month, the one that marks the entire year with its seal. Moreover, the particular days of Tishrei* deliver specific teachings to Jewish women and mothers. It is known that our Sages* established the Torah* reading and the Haftarah*, ensuring that the passage of the Torah* or the Prophets reflects the content of the sacred days and the teachings they deliver for daily life.

During the first days of the year, those of Rosh Hashanah*, we read the Torah* passage that describes the birth of the first Jewish child who was Jewish from his first moment, who had Jewish parents, as well as the self-sacrifice these parents displayed in educating the child. Such is also the content of the Haftarah* of the first day of Rosh Hashanah*, which presents another Jewish mother, Channah*, and the birth of another Jewish child, Shmuel*. Channah* herself gave of her own person and entrusted her only child so that he could receive a divine education. Likewise, in the Haftarah* of the second day of Rosh Hashanah*, we ask Hashem to liberate the Jews from exile, and it is then specified that divine mercy is obtained because "Rochel* weeps for her children." Being their mother, she has compassion for their fate.

The teaching that results from this, and which must be the foundation of the entire year, is the following. One must know that a Jewish child, from birth, belongs to Hashem. Jewish parents in general, and mothers in particular, must display the highest self-sacrifice in order to give a good education to their children. For this good education, based on sacred values, will be the source of the complete redemption, which will come very soon and in our days, Amen. Such is the mission entrusted to the women, to the groups assisting the Beis Rivkah* schools. This is the greatest merit, bringing true happiness to each individual, with the members of one's family, materially and spiritually. With my blessing of success in your work,