Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9640

By the grace of Hashem,

Rosh Chodesh* Shevat* 5729,
Brooklyn, New York,

To the officers and friends of the Beth Rivka* schools in general, to those participating in the annual Melave Malka* in particular, may Hashem grant you long life,

I greet you and bless you,

The annual Melave Malka of Beth Rivka[1] takes place this year a few days before the Hillula* of its founder, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose merit will protect us. It is therefore particularly appropriate to recall one of his sayings which, at the time and even today, drew attention to the situation of Judaism in this country.

Upon his arrival in America in 5700, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, revealed the divine mission he was to assume there — that of making it a place of Torah* and fear of Hashem. He was then objected[2]: "But we are in America and not in the old continent!" My father-in-law, the Rebbe, replied to this objection[3]:
"America is no different[4]. With regard to everything concerning Torah and Mitzvot*, it is no exception."

This saying concerns, more specifically, Jewish women and, in a certain respect, even more than men. Indeed, they have a natural tendency to follow the latest fashion, which is very often not in accordance with the principles of modesty*[5]. These Jewish women must therefore know that the same Torah, the same Mitzvot, the same principle according to which "the honor of the king's daughter lies within[4]"[6], which applied on the old continent, remain valid in America.

The same tradition of warm Jewish women, who were the first to participate in the construction of the Tabernacle* for all the people of Israel, to build the Sanctuary and the Temple of their home, of which Hashem must be able to say[7]: "I will dwell among them[4]," bearing witness that it is indeed fit to receive the Divine Presence, applies in an exactly identical manner here, in the United States, as formerly on the old continent.

To enable the preservation of these traditions and the perpetuation of the Torah and the Mitzvot, of modesty and other principles, among Jewish women — each one a mistress of the household[4], the foundation of the Jewish home[8] — my father-in-law, the Rebbe, created, at the time, the Beth Rivka schools based on sacred values.

It is therefore unnecessary to explain at length the importance and usefulness of the Beth Rivka schools for Jewish girls, nor the great merit incumbent upon each of you, officers and friends of Beth Rivka, who support these institutions, come to their aid to strengthen and develop them. This is, moreover, the "receptacle" that makes it possible to obtain divine blessings in all needs — Jewish nachas* from one's children, health and material prosperity, materially and spiritually. With my respects, my blessing of success, as well as to give me good news,

M. Schneerson,

Notes

[1] See Likkutei Sichot*, vol. 6, p. 364.
[2] See, on this subject, Sefer HaSichot 5705, p. 75.
[3] See, on this subject, letter no. 8593.
[4] The Rebbe underlines the words: "America is no different," "within," "I will dwell among them" and "mistress of the household."
[5] See, on this subject, letters no. 9852, 9899 and 9942.
[6] Psalms 45, 14.
[7] Terumah 25, 8. See the commentary of the Alshich on this verse and the Shnei Luchot HaBrit, p. 69a.
[8] See Midrash* Bereishit Rabbah, chapter 71, paragraph 1 and the Zohar*, vol. 1, p. 154a.