By the Grace of G-dLag b'Omer, 5730Brooklyn, N.Y.
To All Participants in the
Fifteenth Annual Convention of
Neshei Ubnos Chabad
Blessing and Greeting:
On the basis of the profound saying of the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad, to the effect that "A Jew has to live with the time," i.e. the weekly Sidra of the Torah, which is the timely ”guide" and inspiration for each and every day of the week,1
It is significant that the Sidra of the Shabbos of the Convention enumerates a series of Divine blessings as a reward for following G-d’s statutes and observing His Mitzvoth. These blessings reach their highest degree in the Divine promise, "and I will make My sanctuary among you...and I will walk in your midst; I will be your G-d and you will be My people."2
While the condition for receiving G-d’s blessings is stated in the beginning of the Sidra,3 namely, adherence to the Torah and Mitzvoth, the high point of the promised blessings alludes to the basic tenets of Kedusha (sanctity), Tahara (purity), and Tznius (modesty) in Jewish life. The sanctity of the "camp", the Jewish home, and of Jewish conduct, is clearly emphasized elsewhere in the Torah, namely: ”Thy camp shall be holy, that He not see in thee nakedness of any thing, and turn away from thee" (Deut. 23:15).
Our Sages explain that Tznius and Kedusha must be observed in every aspect of the daily life, including speech4 and thought, and certainly in dress and general conduct.
In this area, especially, as in certain other areas of Jewish life, the Jewish woman and daughter set the tone and standard, as experience has shown. Our Sages often stressed that the future and happiness of children is largely tied in with the Tzniusdige conduct of the mother.5
May G-d grant that your Convention – of which the main theme is Tznius – will implement the true ideals of Jewish womanhood in actual practice, and set in motion a far-reaching drive to make Tznius the pervading spirit in deed and in speech, which in turn depend on the sanctity of thought.
Moreover, as in all other activities where Chasidus demands that they be disseminated Chutzo (outside), may the voice of your Convention and the living example of all your participants and members, reach and inspire also distant circles, which are as yet "outside" the mainstream of true Yiddishkeit. The Zechus of the many will bring you G-d’s help and Hatzlocho.
Wishing you the utmost Hatzlocho, and hoping to hear good news from you,
With blessing,
/Signature/ Menachem Schneerson
Notes and sources
The Yiddish version of this letter (with slight variations) is printed in Likkutei Sichos, vol. 7, pp. 30–31, and Igros Kodesh, vol. 26, letter no. 9899 (p. 388 ff.). Earlier that year, in several letters—most notably in a letter dated 7 Adar I to the International Council of N'shei u'Bnos Chabad (Igros Kodesh, vol. 26, letter no. 9852) —the Rebbe called for renewed effort and encouragement in the observance of tznius (modesty). In response to this call, it was decided that tznius would be the central theme of that year’s Neshei Chabad Convention, and it thus serves as the primary focus of this letter. The Rebbe further developed the themes of modesty and the sanctity of the Jewish "camp" in his address at the convention on 25 Iyar 5730, printed in Likkutei Sichos, vol. 8, p. 217 ff.
1) See Hayom Yom for 2 Cheshvan; Sefer HaSichos 5702, p. 29 ff.
2) Vayikra 26:11-12.
3) Ibid 26:3.
4) See Ibn Ezra on Devarim 23:15 (“nakedness of any thing—in action or in speech”). In his address to the convention, the Rebbe cited further support for this idea from the Torah’s emphasis on the purity of the Jewish people by highlighting a single instance in which a woman was not modest in her speech (see Rashi on Vayikra 24:11; Kesubos 72b). This suggests that the ideal standard of modesty attainable by Jewish women includes not only conduct and appearance but also speech.
5) See Yoma 47a; Megillah 10b; 13b; Zohar vol. 3, 126a; et al.
Source: Photocopy of original.
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive.
Note: Although this letter is presented as a "Free Rendition," it was meticulously reviewed, and edited, by the Rebbe before being sent (as was the Rebbe’s custom with all translated letters addressed to dinners and events). See theattached photocopy.
Women Set the Tone
Source & Link: צילום: Alternative Source: