Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8836 — Chinuch

By the grace of Hashem, eve of Shabbos*

of the Parshah* (note 1: Behaalosecha*): "they encamped according to the

Word of Hashem and they traveled according to the

Word of Hashem" 5724,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants at the annual convention of the women and

young women of Chabad*, may Hashem grant you long life,

I bless you and greet you,

One of the essential points of the present Sidra* (note 2: See the Likkutei Sichos*, volume 8, at page 287), that of Behaalosecha*, is the description it gives of the manner in which the children of Yisrael* moved in the desert. It says there, indeed, that "it was according to the Word of Hashem that they encamped and according to the Word of Hashem that they traveled. They maintained the watch of Hashem, according to the Word of Hashem, transmitted by Moshe*" (Behaalosecha* 9, 23). In each of their movements, "the Ark of the covenant of Hashem preceded them, in order to seek for them a place of rest" (Behaalosecha* 10, 33).

The holy Torah*, which is immutable and whose teachings are eternal, applying at all times and in all places, thus underscores that it is only when they follow the Holy Ark, the holy Torah*, that the children of Yisrael* can find rest and comfort, including in this formidable desert, invaded by venomous animals. Indeed, it has always been so, throughout the long history of the exile of our people, in all the wanderings we have known and still know, until we find true rest, at the complete deliverance, through our righteous Moshiach*.

In all the important moments of Jewish life and, likewise, or in particular, in a period of wandering, the Jewish woman plays a central role. And, the end of this same Sidra* also underscores this idea, since the Torah* relates how the people waited for Miriam* and refused to advance in her absence. Thus, when the people travel, it is not sufficient for them to be led by Moshe* and Aharon*. Miriam* must also be present and the children of Yisrael* cannot resolve to advance if she is not there. Our Sages, of holy memory, explain (note 3: In tractate Sotah* 9b) on this subject, that Miriam* merited this honor, which the entire people showed her, in the presence of the Holy Ark and the pillars of cloud, when all waited for her, because she herself had waited for Moshe*, our master, and had saved him, when he was in a basket on the Nile.

And, it is indeed the same in our era. Without the active support and the collaboration of Jewish women to strengthen and disseminate the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, in daily existence, our people could not go forward, "toward the rest and the inheritance that Hashem has promised us." In all aspects of Jewish life, in particular regarding education based on sacred values, Jewish women and young women must be aware of the specific mission that Divine Providence has entrusted to them. Such is indeed the role of all (note 4: The Rebbe* underlines the words: "all" and: "the women and young women of Chabad*") women and all young women, in particular the women and young women of Chabad* (note 4), who have the merit of having the clarity and the enthusiasm disseminated by the teaching of Chabad* and by the masters of Chabad*.

I pray that your convention fulfill all expectations, that it succeed in putting into practice what must be accomplished through it, in general, by each member of the women and young women of Chabad*, in particular. With my blessing for considerable success, personally and collectively,

M. Schneerson,