A WORD from the Director
INSIGHTS
This coming Thursday, 1st of February - 22nd of Shvat, is the yahrzeit of the Rebbe's wife, Rebbetzin Chayah Mushkah. She was a very private woman and few people had the opportunity of knowing her, but those that did were struck by her elegant and noble bearing. I don't mean with regard to externals. In those areas, her life was characterized by simplicity. It is with regard to internals that she stood out. Her character overwhelmed everyone who knew her.
To give a simple example: Once she was being driven through a Jewish neighborhood in New York and saw a family being evicted from their home. She asked the Rabbi driving her to stop and inquire how much they owed. When she heard the sum, she wrote out a check for the entire amount on the spot.
When asked why she did that, she explained: “I don't usually pass through this area. If I did and I saw such a sight, it was obviously a directive for me to act.”
From the first anniversary of her passing onward, the Rebbe shifted the emphasis away from the commemoration of her life to the celebration of the unique power of Jewish women and their connection to the Redemption. To emphasize this theme, a convention of Shluchos, Lubavitch women who serve as emissaries of the Rebbe, is always held this Shabbos. The thousands of women who meet together to brainstorm on how to carry out their mission more effectively is a clear statement of her ongoing legacy!
