By the Grace of G-d8th Chanukah Light, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

As we are about to take leave - until next year, please G-d -of the Festival of Lights, I send this communication to the members of the Neshei uBnois Chabad, and through them to all Jewish women, by way of a reminder that although Chanukah is celebrated only eight days in the year, its content and the message of the Chanukah Lights are valid and compelling all year round.

The message of the Chanukah Lights contains three basic points, which are applicable - in an immediate and practical way - to the crucial problems of our day:

(a) The Chanukah Lights (symbolizing the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth) have to be kindled after dark. This indicates that one should not be discouraged by the prevailing ”darkness" outside; for even a little light of Torah and Mitzvoth can dispel a lot of darkness, how much more so a lot of light.

(b) The Chanukah Lights are required to be kindled in such a way that their light should be seen outside. This indicates that it is not enough to illuminate one’s own home with the light and warmth of Torah-true Yiddishkeit, but that it is necessary to spread it also - outside, in the neighborhood and in the community at large.

(c) The Chanukah Lights are kindled in a growing number each night of Chanukah, teachings us to make a steadily growing effort to spread the light of Torah and Mitzvoth, and that these efforts contain in themselves the assurance of ever-growing success.

Our Sages of the Talmud declare that the Mitzvah of the Chanukah Lights must be shared by the women no less than by the men, because the women also contributed to the miraculous deliverance ”in those days at this season.”¹ The Jewish women are particularly credited with the self-sacrificing determination to safeguard the sanctity of the Jewish home and the chastity of Jewish womanhood.

Nowadays, more than ever before, Jewish women and daughters should be aware of the special responsibility - and everlasting privilege - which Divine Providence has bestowed upon them by allotting to them a crucial and historic role in the preservation of the Jewish way of life on the foundations of the Torah and Mitzvoth, in the daily life.

As the Akeres Habayis - the foundation of the Jewish home, the Jewish mother is largely responsible for the perpetuation of the very foundations of Jewish existence: Taharas Hamishpocho, Kashrus, the sanctity of Shabbos and Yom Tov, the education of the children -the whole set-up of the home and of all the members of the household, to maintain the continuity of the Jewish way of life and the very existence of our Jewish people.

May the Chanukah Lights, symbolizing the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth, continuously - every day and every moment - illuminate your personal life and the life of all the members of your family, so as to be also a living and shining example to others.

Let the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth, infused with Chassidic glow and vitality, permeate every niche of your home, and also light up the outside.

Strengthen and expand your dedicated activities, in accordance with the productive program of the Neshei uBnois Chabad, in the fullest measure.

And may it be G-d’s Will that all the above should be accomplished in a growing measure.

This will surely bring into your homes, in the midst of all our people, a steadily growing flow of G-d's blessings in all your needs, true Yiddish Nachas from your children, good health, and ample Parnosso, materially as well as spiritually, which go hand in hand together.

With the blessing of growing Hatzlocho,

and happy tidings in all the aforesaid,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/