By the Grace of G-d Erev Shabbos-Kodesh B'haalosecho("By the word of G-d they restedand by the word of G-d they journeyed"1)5724. Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

One of the highlights of this week’s portion, B’haalosecho, is the description of the manner in which the Jewish people journeyed through the wilderness: ”By the word of G-d they rested and by the word of G-d they journeyed; the Divine observance they observed, at G-d’s command through Moshe” (9:23). On all their sojourns, the Ark of the Divine Covenant went before them to find for them a place of rest (10:33).

The holy Torah which is eternal, as all its teachings are eternal and valid everywhere and at all times - emphasizes that only when the Jewish people follow the Ark of the Divine Covenant, namely the holy Torah, can Jews enjoy rest and be sheltered in the terrible wilderness filled with deadly dangers. So has it always been throughout the long Golus-history of our people, and on all the wanderings which we Jews had, and still have, to make until we reach the end of our journey when true rest and redemption await us through our righteous Moshiach.²

As in all crucial moments in Jewish life, so also - and especially so - during the time of sojourn, the Jewish woman occupies a central place. This is indicated at the conclusion of this week’s portion, where the Torah tells us that the whole people waited for Miriam and did not move without her. Thus, when the Jewish people are on the move, it is not sufficient that Moshe and Aharon should accompany it; Miriam must also be there. Without Miriam the people are stalled! Our Sages of blessed memory declare that Miriam merited the honor of the whole people, with the holy Ark and the Clouds of Glory, etc., waiting for her - because she too waited and saved Moshe Rabbenu when he lay in a basket on the River.³

We are living at a time when our people cannot move forward towards the Divinely promised ”rest and inheritance”⁴ without the active participation of our Jewish women in the work of spreading the Torah and Mitzvoth in the daily life. In every branch of Jewish life, especially in the field of Chinuch al-taharas-hakodesh Jewish women and daughters must fulfill the task which Divine Providence has bestowed upon them. This is the duty of all Jewish women and daughters, particularly of Nshei uBnois Chabad, who have the Zechus of sharing in the illumination and inspiration of the teachings of Chabad and of the Nesiei Chabad.

I pray that the Convention should fulfill all expectations and should be blessed with Hatzlocho to accomplish in actual reality all that must be accomplished by the Convention as a whole, and by each member of the Nshei uBnois Chabad in particular.

Wishing you Hatzlocho in your affairs, both private and general

Signed /Menachem Schneerson/