[755]

"Women are obliged to study the laws that they need to know, such as those involving family purity, salting meat, yichud, and so on, as well as all the positive mitzvos that are not contingent on a specific time, and all the prohibitive mitzvos, whether of Scriptural or Rabbinic authority."[756]

"The[757] Creator's laws 'which[758] devolve upon us as a constant obligation, never ceasing (for either a man or a woman) for even a moment throughout his life, include the commands to proclaim His unity, to love Him and to stand in awe of Him.'

"Moreover: 'The[759] wholehearted proclamation of G-d's unity may be defined as a harmony between one's heart (i.e., one's understanding) and one's tongue in [their conception and proclamation of] the unity of the Creator.'

" 'And[760] by what path can a man attain this love and fear of G-d? When one considers His works,... and from this perceives His wisdom,... he will immediately[761]...desire...to know the great Name....'

"However, with 'the waning of the generations,'[762] (for 'if our forebears were like men [then we are like donkeys],'[763]) intense and redoubled toil is required,[764] both physical and spiritual, (and the degree[765] of exertion necessary is not the same for each individual,) for a person to attain the level of meditation and comprehension that will enable him to arrive at the awe and love of G-d.

"Keeping all this in mind, it is self-evident that women too are obliged to study that dimension of the Torah which engenders and gives birth to a love and awe of the Almighty, explaining how His unity is utterly unique, and so on. For it is with regard to every single Jew and Jewess that the Torah writes, 'For this thing is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.' "[766]

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"The giving of charity (in connection with Yud Shvat and similar occasions) applies to women also. In fact, for many reasons, women have an even greater affinity with this matter [than do men]."[767]

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"The Zohar (Bereishis 48b) teaches that a woman should light the Shabbos candles with a glad and willing heart."[768]

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"It is the duty of chassidic women and girls to be at the forefront of every activity dedicated to fortifying the practice of Yiddishkeit in general, and, in particular, the observance of the laws of family purity. They should organize a society of chassidic daughters aimed at reinforcing all the facets of the chassidic spiritual lifestyle that relate to the upbringing and education of children, just as it was practiced in the homes of chassidim of earlier generations."[769]

   

Notes:

755. (Back to text) [See excerpts from talks of the Rebbe Shlita on this subject, published in essay form by Sichos In English, such as "A Woman's Place in Torah" and "The Challenge Confronting Jewish Women: Social Involvement Enhanced by Modesty."]

756. (Back to text) This sentence appears as a Note written by the Rebbe Shlita to Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 43, where the Rebbe refers the reader to Tur Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:6, and to Sefer Chassidim, sec. 313.

757. (Back to text) The passage that begins here and ends at the first three asterisks was written by the Rebbe Shlita, as too were the footnotes to the remainder of this section.

758. (Back to text) From the author's letter introducing Sefer HaChinuch.

759. (Back to text) Chovos HaLevavos, Shaar 1, beginning of ch. 1.

760. (Back to text) Rambam, Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, beginning of ch. 2.

761. (Back to text) On this phrase, see also the Rama, Orach Chayim, beginning of ch. 1.

762. (Back to text) See Likkutei Torah, Parshas Chukas 61d, and the maamar beginning Nachamu, 5670. sec. 6ff.; moreover, it will be noted that the opening phrase of the above-mentioned statement of the Rama specifies "the virtuous paths of tzaddikim."

763. (Back to text) [Shabbos 112b.]

764. (Back to text) See Tanya, ch. 42.

765. (Back to text) See the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (second recension) 1:5: "[When a man contemplates the omnipresence of the King of kings...], he will immediately [arrive at awe and self-effacement...], and if he does not [immediately do so], he should meditate deeply and at length...."

766. (Back to text) See explanation of this verse [Devarim 30:14] in Tanya, [passim].

767. (Back to text) From a sichah of the Rebbe Shlita on Chai Elul, 5722, which appears [as an addendum to] Sefer HaMaamarim 5702, p. 145. The above excerpt continues as follows: "Though the law prescribes (Shulchan Aruch, Hilchos Tzedakah 248:4) that charity wardens may accept only a small sum from a woman, the definition of this sum varies in proportion to how wealthy and how authoritarian her husband is. In this country in particular husbands entrust their wives with substantial amounts to be expended at their discretion. (Elsewhere, too, in this age, when women are often involved in business, charity wardens may accept even sizable contributions from women, as is pointed out by Yam shel Shlomo on Bava Kama [119a], who is cited by the Acharonim on the Shulchan Aruch, loc. cit.)."

768. (Back to text) From a sichah of the Rebbe Shlita.

769. (Back to text) HaYom Yom, p. 21.