Women’s Involvement

The Rebbe often wrote directly to the women to emphasize their role and enlist their help in the mivtzoim.

The following letter was written shortly after the hijacking and rescue of the hostages in Uganda and the subsequent attempt by terrorists to carry out a vicious reprisal, G-d forbid, in Istanbul, Turkey. The Rebbe called on all women to make sure there is a kosher mezuzah on their doors and to encourage their neighbors to do the same.

Here is an excerpt of the letter:

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. …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).” …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.

Full letter:

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 (Istambul),

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 Mezuzan be affixed on every doorpost in their nome 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 Hatziocho 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 vaChasimo Toivo,

Never Give Away Land

We may never give away land of Eretz Yisroel, and even land surrounding Eretz Yisroel that might harm the security of Eretz Yisroel.

The Rebbe frequently invoked the following halachah of Shulchan Aruch when speaking about the obligation to maintain control over Yehudah, Shomron, and other parts of Eretz Yisrael, as well as the land surrounding Eretz Yisroel. Giving up control of these areas makes it easier for the enemies of the Jewish people to conquer the entire land.

שולחן ערוך אדמו"ר הזקן סימן שכ"ט הלכה וא"ו:

נָכְרִים שֶׁצָּרוּ עַל עֲיָרוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, אִם בָּאוּ עַל עִסְקֵי מָמוֹן – אֵין מְחַלְּלִין עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. וְאִם בָּאוּ עַל עִסְקֵי נְפָשׁוֹת, וַאֲפִלּוּ בָּאוּ סְתָם וְיֵשׁ לָחוּשׁ שֶׁמָּא בָּאוּ עַל עִסְקֵי נְפָשׁוֹת, וַאֲפִלּוּ עֲדַיִן לֹא בָאוּ אֶלָּא מְמַשְׁמְשִׁים לָבֹא – יוֹצְאִים עֲלֵיהֶם בִּכְלֵי זַיִן וּמְחַלְּלִין עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. וּבְעִיר הַסְּמוּכָה לַסְּפָר, אֲפִלּוּ אֵינָן רוֹצִים לָבֹא אֶלָּא עַל עִסְקֵי תֶּבֶן וְקַשׁ – מְחַלְּלִין עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, שֶׁמָּא יִלְכְּדוּ הָעִיר וּמִשָּׁם תְּהֵא הָאָרֶץ נוֹחָה לִכָּבֵשׁ לִפְנֵיהֶם:

[The following laws apply] when non-Jews take up arms against Jewish towns: If [the non-Jews] come [to attack the towns] for financial gain, the Shabbos may not be desecrated because of them. If, however, [the non-Jews] come to kill, and even if they come with no expressed intent, but there is concern that perhaps they come to kill, one should confront [the non-Jews] while armed and desecrate the Shabbos because of them. [Indeed, these steps may be taken] not only when their arrival is imminent, but even if [the non-Jews] are merely threatening to come. In a town that is near the border, even if [the non-Jews] only seek to come for matters concerning hay and straw, the Shabbos may be desecrated because of them, lest they capture the town, and from there, the [entire] land will be easier for them to conquer.

-Excerpt from SIE

In the sichah linked below, the Rebbe discusses how a Jew must remember that he does not belong in golus. Knowing this helps strengthen our resolve not to give away the land Hashem has given us. The Rebbe speaks in clear terms about the danger, halachically and also practically, of giving away even a small parcel of land.

See here - עשרה בטבת תשמ"ג

Do Chabad Chassidim Serve in the Army?

In the following letter, the Rebbe addresses the oft-asked questions of whether Chabad chassidim serve in the army and why yeshivah students receive an exemption. The letter is dated 26 Iyar, 5740.

Mr.... North Hollywood, Cal. 91606

Greeting and Blessing:

…In answer to your questions and to begin with the question of why Lubavitch is not active in this or that project - apparently you are not fully informed about the Lubavitch activities, since some of the specific projects you mention in your letter have not only been included in Lubavitch work, but have been part and parcel of it for many years. However, you can rectify this lack of information through your Lubavitch contacts.

Let me cite some examples with reference to some of your questions. You ask why Lubavitch Chassidim do not serve in Tzahal. Obviously you are misinformed, for many do and many have attained high rank in the defense forces on active duty, and not only in the Chaplaincy, as you thought. As for those who serve in the Chaplaincy, clearly that is where they contribute most to Tzahal and the security of the country, since keeping the morale of the defense forces on the highest level is of primary importance. It would be a poor judgment on the part of Tzahal to press one who is qualified to be a Chaplain into service as a private, as it would be to force one who is qualified to be a colonel to serve as private instead.

While on this subject, let me mention a further point, though you do not refer to it explicitly, namely, the exemption of yeshivah students from military service. As you may know, this exemption was recognized and agreed to by the founder of Tzahal, the late D. Ben Gurion. It is based on the fact that a yeshivah student can accomplish more to the security of the country by continuing his Torah learning than by military duty. Anyone who is familiar with the Sedra Bechukosal and is not prejudiced can see this clearly.