Letters from the Rebbe
2.
Chinuch
3. Torah
Study
4.
Teffilin
5.
Mezuzoh
6.
Tzedokoh
9.
Kashrus
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This letter was written by the Rebbe
after the Entebbe hijacking in July, 1976
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By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5736
Brooklyn, N.Y.
To The Jewish Mothers and Daughters everywhere,
G-d bless you -
Blessing and Greeting:
In view of the recent events - the hijacking and saving of the hostages
held in Uganda; and the subsequent attempt of the terrorists to
perpetrate a vicious reprisal, G-d forbid, in Kushta (Istanbul),
It should be understood that these events are an indication that Jews
must, at the earliest possible, strengthen all aspects of their security
and defenses - first and foremost in their spiritual life, which is the
channel to receive G-d's blessings also in the physical aspect, namely,
to know the right ways and means that have to be undertaken in the
natural order of things, and to fully succeed in these efforts, in
accordance with the Divine promise, "G-d, your G-d, will bless you in
all that you do" - to be protected and secured from enemies, and to be
spared any undesirable happenings, G-d forbid.
The above events remind each and all of our Jewish brethren in general,
and Jewish mothers and daughters in particular - since every married
Jewish woman is called Akeres Habayis, "Foundation of the Home," and
those not yet married are to be Akeres Habayis, for which they must
prepare themselves from tender age - the following:
The present situation calls for the protection of every Jewish home.
True protection is that which only G-d provides, as it is written, "G-d
guards the city." To ensure this Divine guardianship, the home has to be
conducted in all aspects according to G-d's will.
Then the home is also an abode for the Shechinah (G-d's Presence), in
accordance with His promise, "I will dwell among them."
In addition to this, G-d has given our people a special gift wherewith
to protect the home, namely, the Mitzvah of Mezuzah. Our Sages declare
explicitly that "the home is protected by it (the Mezuzah)."
Moreover, this protection embraces the members of the household also
when they go out of the house, as it is written, 'G-d will guard your
going and your coming from now and forever.' It is further explained in
our holy sources that the Divine Name (Shin-Dalet-Yud) written on the
back of the sacred Mezuzah parchment spells out the words, "Shomer
Dalsos Yisroel - Guardian of Jewish Doors."
Let it also be remembered that inasmuch as all Jews constitute one body,
and are bound up with one another, every Mezuzah is a Divine protection
not only for the individual home, with everybody and everything in it,
but each additional kosher Mezuzah that is affixed on a doorpost of any
Jewish home, anywhere, adds to the protection of all our people
everywhere.
And considering - as mentioned above - that every Jewish housewife is an
Akeres Habayis, and every Jewish girl a future Akeres Habayis, they have
a special Zechus (merit) and responsibility in the matter of Mezuzah, to
see to it that not only a kosher Mezuzah be affixed on every doorpost in
their home that is required to have a Mezuzah, but that the same be done
by their Jewish neighbors and friends, and in all Jewish homes.
I hope and pray that you will do this with inspiration and joy, which,
in addition to increasing the Hatzlocho in this effort, will also
inspire many others to do likewise, and the Zechus Horabim will further
stand you in good stead.
The present time is particularly auspicious for this endeavor, as for
endeavors in all matters of goodness and holiness, since we are in the
beginning of the month of Elul - the month of spiritual stocktaking, to
complete the deficiencies of the outgoing year and to prepare for the
New Year, that it be a good and blessed year for each and all of us and
for our Jewish people as a whole.
With esteem and blessing of Kesivo veChasimo Tovah,
(signature)
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AHAVAS YISROEL - The love of one's fellow
Jew.
Hillel, (one of the greatest sages of the Mishna), explained, that the
love for ones fellow man, and the stages of personal development
necessary for that love to be genuine are fundamental to Jewish
observance.
The Ahavas Yisroel Campaign seeks to influence each individual, so that
one's thought, speech and actions be permeated with a real concern and
sensitivity for the well-being of his fellow Jew.
CHINUCH - Torah Education
The campaign for Torah Education wants to involve any and every Jewish
child in an educational program that will teach him/her what it means to
live as a Jew. Likewise, adults are encouraged to enroll in study groups
and seminars commensurate with their background and knowledge.
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch
Movement explained, that Torah study should be fixed not only in time,
but also in soul, i.e., that it should be the vortex around which the
entire spectrum of everyday life revolves.
Torah study is the attempt of finite man to comprehend the wisdom of an
infinite G-d. The keeping of fixed times for Torah study allows for
systematic growth and development.
TEFILLIN - The donning of Tefillin, every
weekday, by men and boys over 13.
The Torah describes Tefillin as a sign, a public statement of Jewish
involvement. By donning Tefillin daily, an individual gives expression
to his basic feeling of Jewish identity, and its importance to him.
The Tefillin are placed on the arm facing the heart, and on the head.
This signifies the binding of one's emotional and intellectual powers to
the service of G-d. The straps, stretching from the arm to the hand and
from the head to the legs, signify the transmission of intellectual and
emotional energy to the hands and feet, symbolizing deed and action.
MEZUZOH - The Jewish Sign
A Mezuzoh designates a house, or room as Jewish. It is a clear sign of
the nature of the environment. The Mezuzoh should be on the right
door-post of every room. The Divine name S-H-A-D-A-I on the outside of
each Mezuzoh, is explained by our Sages to also signify that the
Al-mighty is "Guardian of the Doorways of Israel." The Mezuzoh protects
the home and its occupants.
In a Mezuzoh, IT'S WHAT'S ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS. You have to have a
parchment with the first two paragraphs of the Shema written by a
professional scribe.
Unfortunately, many printed or improperly written Mezuzohs flooded the
public market.
In addition, many Mezuzohs that were originally proper have since faded
or cracked due to age or weather. A competent authority should be
contacted to check all your Mezuzohs.
TZEDOKOH - Giving charity every weekday
Tzedokoh, though commonly translated as charity, literally means correct
or righteous.
The English word `charity' implies a condescending attitude; giving even
though the recipient may be undeserving. `Tzedokoh' changes that
perspective.
You give out of a sense of responsibility and in the realization that
what YOU have is also a gift-charity from G-d.
The Tzedokoh campaign calls for an increase in giving.
Displaying a Tzedokoh Box conspicuously serves as a reminder to give
OFTEN every weekday.
POSSESSION OF JEWISH HOLY BOOKS
An environment teaches. What you have in your home helps determine what
type of home you will have.
By having Jewish Holy Books conspicuously displayed at home, you as well
as your friends, will be stimulated to use them. Their very presence
reminds one of their contents and the importance of Jewish values.
Of course, the more books the better. However, the minimum of a Chumash
(the Five Books of Moses), a Book of Psalms and a Siddur (Prayer Book)
are suggested.
LIGHTING SHABBOS AND FESTIVAL CANDLES
Light is a subject which has stirred the imagination of poets,
scientists and psychologists. Because its nature is so different from
other material entities, it is frequently used to describe spiritual
insight.
Shabbos is a day of light; a day with a different pattern and
value-orientation.
The lighting of the Shabbos Candles, ushers and inspires in this state
of awareness.
The responsibility for lighting the candles and inducing this change of
perspective is the woman's. It is she who welcomes the Shabbos Queen
into the home.
Young girls from the age of three are also encouraged to light their own
candle, both as a means of involvement and as part of their education.
The Shabbos Candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset.
KASHRUS - The Jewish Dietary Laws
Eating Kosher food serves to bring home, on a very basic and fundamental
level, and identification with one's Jewishness.
As long as Jewish involvement is limited to prayer, study, or even
specific ritual acts, there is no proof that it has permeated one's
self.
When you eat differently, your Judaism is not just metaphysical, but a
part and parcel of your very being.
The observance of Kashrus consists of eating only Kosher foods at home
or away from home. It also entails not eating dairy and meat foods
together, and maintaining separate dishes, cutlery, and utensils for
meat and dairy.
TAHARAS HAMISHPOCHO - The Torah
perspective on married life
Marriage and sexuality are treated very carefully by the Jewish
tradition.
It is no coincidence that in Torah-conscious homes the divorce rate is
much lower than the national average.
Taharas Hamishpocho, the attitudes and practices for happy married life
help to develop genuine communication and love between husband and wife
and bring to the world healthy, loving children.
The detailed laws of Taharas Hamishpocho require much explanation. Many
couples of all ages have turned to observing Taharas Hamishpocho.
Contact Bais Chana for more information.
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