Erev Shabbos Kodesh Rosh Chodesh Iyar, 5735 [1975]
On the occasion of the forthcoming convention, taking place on the weekend of Pesach Sheni [the “second” Passover], I send greetings and prayerful wishes that the Convention should, with G-d’s help, be crowned with hatzlocho [success] in the fullest measure. One of the teachings of Pesach-Sheni - as my father-in-law of saintly memory pointed out - is that in matters of Yiddishkeit [Judaism] one should never give up, and it is never too late to rectify a past failing.
This principle has also been one of the basic factors in the work of the Rebbe’s Nesiim [leaders] since the beginning of Chabad, who dedicated themselves with utmost mesiras-nefesh [self-sacrifice] to bring Jews closer to Torah and mitzvoth [commandments], regardless of their level of Yiddishkeit, and not to give up a single Jew. The task of bringing Jews closer to Yiddishkeit is especially relevant to women, for it obviously requires a special approach in terms of compassion, loving-kindness, gentleness, and the like - qualities with which women are generally endowed in a larger measure than men, although all Jews without exception are characterized as rachmonim and gomlei-chasodim, compassionate and practicing lovingkindness.
