Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8790 — Prayer

By the grace of Hashem, eve of the

holy Shabbos* Vayakhel Pekudei* 5724,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants in the convention of the women and young women

of Chabad* of Montreal, may Hashem grant you long life,

I bless you and greet you,

In conformity with the well-known explanation of the Admur HaZaken* (note 1: See the Likkutei Sichos*, volume 6, at page 397), author of the Tanya* and of the Shulchan Aruch*, founder of Chabad*, according to which "a Jew must live with the times," that is to say, with the Sidra* of the week, since the Torah* intervenes in all current events and delivers teachings that befit daily existence, lessons receiving current application can be deduced from the Sidros* that we read this Shabbos*, Vayakhel* and Pekudei* (note 2: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "Vayakhel and Pekudei," "Vayikra," "effective," "concrete action," "the deed is essential," "put into practice," "personal," "each man and each woman," "the men came after the women," "I will dwell among you," "within each one," "from among you a sacrifice," "Vayikra," "the eternity of the Torah," "among them," "service of Hashem of the heart," "love of Hashem," "love of the Torah," "love of one's fellow" and "mistresses of the household"), as well as from that of next week, Vayikra* (note 2). We will consider here some of these lessons.

In the Sidros* Vayakhel* and Pekudei*, the Torah* relates the effective (note 2) construction of the Sanctuary* and its instruments, thus reiterating what had already been clearly set forth, in detail, in the Sidros* Terumah* and Tetzaveh*. Thus, the Torah* could have spared this lengthy exposition and it therefore has as its sole purpose to establish the importance of concrete action (note 2). Indeed, say our Sages (note 3: In tractate Avos*, chapter 1, at Mishnah* 17), "the deed is essential" (note 2). Beforehand, the plan of the Sanctuary* was presented, as it was transmitted to Moshe* on Mount Sinai*, whereas the Torah* shows here in what manner it was concretely put into practice (note 2) through the personal (note 2) participation of "each man and each woman" (note 2). On this occasion, it is emphasized that the women set the example for the women, as it is said: "The men came after the women" (note 2). Through all the fervor of their enthusiasm, they wished to put into practice the Will of Hashem.

The profound purpose of the Sanctuary* is the fulfillment of the Precept: "I will dwell among you" (note 2), that is to say (note 4: See, in particular, the Shnei Luchos HaBris*, Parshas Terumah*) "within each one" (note 2). Every Jewish heart, every Jewish home must be the dwelling of the Divine Presence, just as the true objective of the sacrifices was to draw Jewish hearts close to Hashem, as it is said (note 5: See the Likkutei Torah*, Vayikra*, at page 2b): "from among you a sacrifice" (note 2), as the Torah* shows at the beginning of Parshas Vayikra* (note 2).

It is precisely in this way that the eternity of the Torah* (note 2) is expressed. For, even though, for the time being, the Sanctuary* of gold and silver has been destroyed, even though the sacrifices of cattle are, for the moment, suspended, the Sanctuary* that is found "among them" (note 2), on the other hand, that is to say, the service of Hashem of the heart (note 2) of each one remains intact. On the contrary, the latter is even strengthened.

When one meditates upon these Sidros* of the Torah* in this period, each man and each woman must awaken within himself new forces, do everything in his power to bring a concrete expression to this eternity of the Torah*, through enthusiastic actions, within daily existence, so that Hashem may say of every Jewish heart and of every Jewish home: "This is My Sanctuary* and its prayers are My sacrifices" (note 6: See tractate Berachos* 26b). To reveal all that has just been said, not only for oneself, but also for others, all around oneself, is the mission that is entrusted to the women and young women of Chabad*. It is for this reason that Hashem has very generously granted them a warm and profound feeling of love of Hashem (note 2), of love of the Torah* (note 2) and of love of one's fellow (note 2). He has enabled them to be the mistresses of the household (note 2) of every Jewish home.

May Hashem grant you success, as well as to your annual celebration and to your accomplishments of this year, so that you fulfill completely your mission of the highest importance. With my blessing of success and to give me good news,

M. Schneerson,