Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8992 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,

13 Nissan* 5725,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the participants in the twelfth annual dinner of the association

of Chabad* women and young women of Cleveland, Ohio,

may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

I am responding to your information that your annual dinner will take place on the Sunday of Parshas* Lech Lecha*, which approaches (note 1: See Likkutei Sichos*, volume 33, page 271.). May Hashem make this celebration have great success, in all domains. The teaching of the Alter Rebbe*, author of the Tanya* and the Shulchan Aruch*, is well known, according to which the Parshah* of the week delivers teachings for daily existence, in particular for the special events that take place within it (note 2: See letter number 8990.).

This year, the gathering takes place in the week of Parshas* Shelach*, which relates that Moshe Rabbeinu* delegated scouts in order to reconnoiter Eretz Yisrael*, but the account they brought back was not accurate. Yet, our Sages*, of blessed memory, relate (note 3: See the commentary of Rashi* on the verse Pinchas* 26:64, based on the Sifri*, commenting on verse 27:4.) that the women were in no way affected by this unfavorable account and that they wished to continue their journey toward Eretz Yisrael*, the Holy Land, in accordance with the will of Hashem. These women were permeated with the feeling that Eretz Yisrael* was a land of holiness, to which Hashem grants His Hashgachah* in a particular manner, as the Torah* says: "A land toward which the eyes of Hashem are always turned, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year" (note 4: The Rebbe emphasizes this verse.).

As has been emphasized many times, the Torah* is eternal and the teachings it delivers are likewise eternal, which means that they apply in every place and at all times. In this case, the attachment of Jewish women to the Holy Land is the expression of their deep submission to everything that belongs to the domain of Holiness, to the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, which can sometimes be much stronger than that of the men. There is indeed a teaching here for our generation. Women can do much to strengthen all the domains of holiness, the Torah* and the Mitzvos*, first and foremost within their own home, then in their surroundings, in the appropriate manner. It is precisely in this way that one makes of one's home and one's environment the "Holy Land" for the Presence of Hashem (note 5: The teaching of the Tzemach Tzedek* is well known, who said: "Make here Eretz Yisrael*." See also, on this subject, letters number 8774 and 8993.).

This is one of the activities of Chabad* women, in every place. They have the particular merit of advancing on a path that is illuminated by the light of Chassidus* and Chassidic* traditions. Together with Eretz Yisrael*, all the divine blessings of the "land flowing with milk and honey" were given, in the material domain, when one adopts conduct in accordance with the Will of Hashem. Thus, the heavenly blessings are acquired, at all times, by those who bring their contribution to strengthen and spread the Yiddishkeit* of the Torah*, to the full extent of their means. May Hashem make your action fruitful, in ever-increasing proportions, and may He grant you visible and tangible good, in all your needs, both materially and spiritually. With my blessing to give me good news,