By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Adar, 5732Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting: 

I was pleased to be informed about the planned special Adar-Nissan issue of Di Yiddishe Heim, which will mark its 13th anniversary. 

On this occasion, I send my congratulations and blessing to its editorial staff, writers and readers. May G-d grant that this important journal should continue to fulfill its true purpose, and expand its scope, both in quantity and quality. 

There is an expression in the Talmud referring to the months of Adar-Nissan as "bringing one Geulo up to the other" This expression underscores the essential aspect of both these months: The Geulo of Purim and the Geulo of Pesach. 

As in all subjects of Torah, which contain numerous instructions and insights, so also in the case of the said Talmudic expression which, among others, gives an insight into the concept of Geulo - deliverance. 

There are degrees of Geulo. The Geulo of Purim delivered the Jews from Hamen's decree of annihilation. But the deliverance was limited to that; it did not bring about complete freedom, since the Jews remained in Golus. On the other hand, the deliverance from Egypt was a complete Geulo, since the "Children of Israel left with a raised hand (triumphantly)." 

The expression "bringing one Geulo up to the other" contains also the thought that a Jew should realize that every Jew has the capacity of raising the Geulo of Purim unto that of Pesach, that is to say, the capacity to transform a limited Geulo - while the Jews are still in Golus - into a complete Geulo. In other words, even if outwardly in material and secondary aspects a Jew is in Golus, yet inwardly - in essential things and spiritual matters - he can and must be completely free. This is entirely up to him. Moreover, by achieving Geulo in his spiritual life, through the Torah and Mitzvoth in the daily life, he achieves Geulo also in his material life - freedom from all sorts of anxieties, external oppression, financial worries, health worries, etc., etc. 

The above mentioned two Geulos have a further point in common, namely, the role of the Jewish woman and daughter, as our Sages expressed it: "They (the women) too had a part in that miracle" (Pes. 108b), which Rashi explains: "In the merit of the righteous women in that generation, the Jewish people was redeemed" (Pesach)..." Through Esther they were redeemed" (Purim). This shows that women had indeed an essential part in these Geulos. 

A practical instruction contained in the above, as in all matters of Torah, Toras Chaim (the "guide in the daily life"), is: In the present Golus also, there is the said possibility to be completely free in all matters relating to Yiddishkeit, and also in the present generation, in the final days of the Golus and on the eve of the Geulo through our righteous Moshiach - Jewish women have a key role in the general Geulo of our Jewish people as a whole. 

We have the assurance that the daily life and conduct of the righteous women, together with that of all Jews, in the way of the Torah and Mitzvoth, permeated with the light and vitality of the teachings of Chassidus, will bring closer the realization of the true and complete Geulo through our righteous Moshiach. 

With blessing for Hatzlocho 

and for good tidings, 

MENACHEM SCHNEERSON