I want to report to you about an event attended by hundreds of thousands of people that took place this week, and you probably didn't hear about it on Galei Tzahal, on Network B, and there certainly won't be an item about it on Yaron London's show.
On Thursday and Friday of this week, the Day of the Maggid of Mezritch and the Feast of the Redemption of the Elder Rebbe, the author of the Tanya, will take place. May their memory protect us and all of Israel, Amen.
Hundreds of thousands of Jews undoubtedly participated in the 19th of Kislev celebrations held across the country and the world in thousands of locations. The general media in Israel is not interested in this at all. They are interested in dealing with the negative, inflaming passions, and sowing discord.
I began writing this column in the wee hours of Thursday night, shortly after returning from the 19th of Kislev celebration held at the National Buildings in Jerusalem, with the participation of thousands of women who sang, cried, danced, and rejoiced in genuine Jewish joy, devoid of cynicism and masks.
The evening's host, Sivan Rahav Meir, announced at the beginning: "Tonight you will not hear Eviatar Banai singing 'Abba'. And Shuli Rand will not sing 'Ayekha' and Avraham Fried will not entertain you with 'Ale Katan Sheli'. All the songs and melodies that will be played here tonight are ancient melodies composed by the old Rebbe, the author of the Tanya, or by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.".
That's exactly how it was.
The excitement that gripped the audience of women who filled the stands in the Nation Buildings when the melody "Tsema Lech Nafsi" was played in the voice of Shuli Rand was palpable. A wave of longing and longing swept through the audience when the holy melody of the old Rebbe - Arba Bevut - was played in the voice of Eviatar Banai, flooding the hearts of thousands sitting in the hall, and hundreds more who had to make do with screens placed outside it.
When Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrahi asked everyone to close their eyes for a moment of silence, in which each of the attendees would ask the Creator of the World for herself or for her loved ones, I couldn't help but glance at the thousands of women who filled the hall and feel the power of silent collective prayer. I felt for a moment in the Temple, in those minutes when the entire people silently await the return of the High Priest from the Holy of Holies.
When that minute ended and the multitude of women began to sing together, "Messiah, Mesiah," I imagined in my mind the huge procession that accompanies the High Priest to his home at the end of the holy day's service, with everyone singing, "Behold, what is glorious.".
My connection to Chabad
Kislev is my Hasidic month. In this month, the interiority of the Torah is revealed as it is illuminated by the light of Hasidic teachings, in which the virtue of women is emphasized. It begins with our mother Rebecca in the Torah portion that we studied at the beginning of the month, continues with Rachel and Leah, and is intensified in a way that leads and adds, with the holiday of Hanukkah that closes the month, as "they too were in the same miracle," in the heroic story of Judith who restored morale to the Jewish warriors.
The definition of the month as the month of holidays for Chabad Hasidism is also linked to a woman, as Rebbetzin Deborah-Leah, the daughter of the elderly Rebbe, gave her life (in practice, literally) so that her father could continue his activities in this world.
Although she left during the Gedaliah fast, the old Rebbe's life was saved thanks to her, and his redemption from imprisonment, which led to the proliferation of Hasidic teachings in a quantity and quality that had not existed before, is attributed to her.
Moreover, on the day the old Rebbe was released from his imprisonment in the Russian prison, his granddaughter was born, the righteous Rebbetzin Mrs. Menucha Rachel Slonim, the daughter of the middle Rebbe who immigrated to Israel and settled in Hebron, the Holy City, where she rests in honor.
Exactly thirty years ago, my path crossed the path of the old Rebbe, the author of the Tanya, when I married my husband, the son of the Hasidic Rabbi Yekutiel Schneerson, a grandson of the grandmother of Hebron, Rebbetzin Tzaddikat Menucha Rachel.
Although she was not officially the one who led the Hasidic community in Hebron, she was known for her righteousness and the blessings that were bestowed upon her, and there are many stories about this. It was said that the Divine Presence rested on her face, and many came to her door to seek salvation and receive her blessings.
Even the Arabs in Hebron admired her and her name was praised by the Arab women of the region. Rebbetzin Menucha Rachel left a special mark on Jewish life in Hebron.
The Jews of Hebron had a regular custom in those years. Every bride would go to "Buba' Menucha Rachel" on the day of her wedding to be blessed. Even a woman who had difficulty giving birth or was ill would turn to the "grandmother" to intercede for her in prayers and to arouse mercy for her.
When the son of the Rebbe, the author of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, visited Hebron, may he be remembered, he entered to visit her and remained standing even when she asked him to sit. The Rebbe of Lalov, Rebbe Elazar Mendel, the first of the Rebbes of Beit Lalov to establish his residence in the holy city of Jerusalem, was also careful to visit her whenever he went up to prostrate himself at the graves of the ancestors. He too was careful not to sit in front of her and would ask for her blessing.
The innocence of women
In a certain respect, there is an advantage in the study of Hasidism by women over the study of Hasidism by men. It is precisely from the perspective of the relative disadvantage in the completeness of understanding and attainment among women that their belonging to the rank of "Yehuda Ela" is more prominent.
In Hasidism, it is explained that the light is in revelation, and therefore even infants know and feel that there is a God, even though they have no perception or understanding of His presence. Therefore, the Rivash (Rabbi Yitzhak ben Sheshet) quotes the words of Rabbi Shimshon of Kinon, who said, "I pray to know that this is the infant," since the infant's prayer is to the essence and essence of the Creator, since he has no understanding of the higher spheres, but rather an innocent and simple faith that is above reason.
I have seen this in practice at the Nation Buildings and in general, in dozens and hundreds of meetings with women. Women's faith is simpler. It is less complex and more innocent and in any case it is higher, as it is closer to the high degree of Yehuda Ilaah – a higher union with God. By the way, in a side note, the absolute majority of the participants in the event at the Nation Buildings were not Chabad Hasidim.
And here is the place to recommend that you study a short passage from the Tanya every day that provides spiritual food for the soul. It takes me fifteen minutes every day, but gives me strength for the entire day.
Here is a quote from a talk the Lubavitcher Rebbe gave to women in 1981: "Especially since the Israeli woman, Blessed be God, has given her a special grace and a special approach from the ways of grace, blessing and peace to influence the entire environment in general and within her own family in particular, to utilize this quality of soul for all good matters. It begins with the spread of Judaism throughout the environment.
""Always remember that, just as in the giving of the Torah, the Blessed One told Moses our Master that he would first speak to the women and girls of Israel, and explain to them the virtues of the Torah, and this will add strength to the acceptance of the Torah by the entire people of Israel. This is an eternal teaching for all generations and in all places, which to a great extent depends on the leadership and influence of the women and girls of Israel, so that the entire environment will be imbued with Judaism and a true Torah spirit.".
""And especially if you utilize the aforementioned approach of the ways of pleasantness and the ways of peace and blessings, and at the same time, with the force appropriate to the fulfillment of the mission of God, then all of this will add to the success of these actions.".
I will bless you with the blessing that Hasidim customarily bless on the 19th of Kislev – the New Year of Hasidism – "For a good year in the study of Hasidism and in the ways of Hasidism, write and sign.".
• Part of the column is based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | The writer is the owner of "My Choice", an event host, lecturer, and radio broadcaster. | For comments: [email protected]
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