By the Grace of G-d 12th of Sivan, 5743 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

By Hashgocho Protis (Divine Providence) this year’s Annual Event is taking place on the day after the Sedra Shelach was read in Shul on Shabbos. Following Jewish custom, especially in light of the saying of the Alter Rebbe that "A Jew should live with the time" (meaning the Weekly Sedra) - we find in the said Sedra an instruction which has a special relevance to the participants and friends of Beth Rivkah.

The main topic of the Sedra, as also indicated in its name, is the story of the Twelve "Spies" that were sent to explore, and bring back a first-hand report of, the land which G-d had designated as the eternal heritage of the Jewish people. For, G-d was now ready to fulfill His promise (given to the Jews while they were still in Egyptian exile): "I shall bring you into the land..." - the land of Israel.

One of the high points of this story is that the Jewish women of that generation once again (as previously at the time of Mattan Torah, and when the Mishkan was constructed, etc.) showed a shining example for the whole Jewish people: The women did not listen to the demoralizing words of the Spies. On the contrary, the women displayed a very strong affection for Eretz Yisroel, and (as the Torah relates about the daughters of Tzelofchod) demanded, and received, a share in the Holy Land, etc.

In this way the women of that generation also showed an example for all Jewish women and daughters in all future generations, inasmuch as the instructive lessons of the narratives of the Torah, like all the instructions of the Torah, Toras Chaim ("instruction in living") are eternal, for all times and all places.

There is the well-known teaching of the Rebbe, the "Tzemach Tzedek," that a Jew has the capacity to make it (spiritually) "Eretz Yisroel" wherever he is - beginning with his own home and neighborhood. For, the uniqueness of Eretz Yisroel (in the ordinary sense) is surely in its holiness, which is connected with the Shechina (Divine Presence) and special Divine Providence that pervade this land, of which the Torah declares that "The Eyes of G-d your G-d are on it continuously, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year."

Hence, when a Jew conducts his everyday life in accordance with the Will of G-d, and the home is permeated with the light and holiness of Torah and Mitzvoth - then this is "Eretz Yisroel" in the spiritual sense.

This, then, is the instruction which has a special relevance to "Beth Rivkah" and all friends of Beth Rivkah. For, this institution - one of the first Torah-true educational institutions which my father-in-law of saintly memory founded in this country, and is conducted in the spirit of the Founder - educates and prepares Jewish daughters to fulfill the great responsibility -and Zechus - which Divine Providence has bestowed upon Jewish women and daughters in all generations.

I am confident that all friends of Beth Rivkah will do - and encourage others to do - all that is necessary to ensure that the educational institution Beth Rivkah should be able to continue its vital activity, and to enlarge and expand it in the fullest measure.

In the merit of it, HaShem will surely increase His blessings "from His full, open, holy and ample Hand," in all your needs, both materially and spiritually.

With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho in all above,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/¹