By the Grace of G-dErev Shabbos KodeshRosh Chodesh Shevat, 5747Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

Once again the Conference is taking place during the week of Parshas Yisro, the Sedra of Mattan-Torah. May G-d grant that it should be with the utmost Hatzlocho.

As is well known, the Torah was given on Shabbos.¹ Indeed, Shabbos is particularly conspicuous in the current year: The entire year (5747) is a year of Shemittah, designated as a “Shabbos unto HaShem.”² The entire year was ushered in on Rosh Hashonah (“Head of the year”) that occurred on Shabbos. Also, the auspicious month of Shevat begins on Shabbos, etc.

The special relevance of Shabbos to the N’shei uBnos Convention is obvious: Jewish women and daughters have been given the great Zechus to usher in the Shabbos, well in advance of sunset, by lighting the Shabbos candles, before the Shabbos prayers in Shul and Kiddush at home. The Akeres Habayis is also the one who makes the major preparations for Shabbos, to ensure Oneg Shabbos for all the family. And when the husband comes in from Shul, accompanied by the two angels, it is the light of the Shabbos candles and the Shabbos table that greet them, showing clearly that this is a true Jewish home, illuminated by the light of Ner Mitzvo v ’Torah Or.³

In light of the above, and since the Shemittah is historically associated with increased spiritual activity, by reason of the cessation of physical activity (in the fields and vineyards), which is why the Shemittah year was designated as a “Shabbos unto HaShem” —

This year’s Convention will surely be geared to redoubling efforts and activities to implement the purpose and task of N’shei uBnos Chabad. This task is already included in the central point of the Parsha of Mattan-Torah, the purpose of which was to make all Jews — fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, worthy of HaShem’s imperative, which is also a Divine Promise and Nesinas Ko’ach (bestowal of Divine powers): “And you shall be unto Me a Kingdom of Kohanim (HaShem’s servants) and a Holy Nation”⁴ — by the everyday life and conduct in accordance with the Torah and Mitzvos. In fulfillment of this task, the Akeres Habayis has a primary (Ikerdike) role.

With esteem and blessing,

M. Schneerson