THE GREATNESS OF WOMEN

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

We wish Renee long life for the yohrtzeit of Aunty Lottie next week. And in the week when our theme is about women, anyone who knew Aunty Lottie, would know what a good and kind neshamah she was AH. And this was constant throughout her life. Her neshamah should have a light Gan Eden.

BH I am so grateful and happy to be writing this week's email, having just emerged from an operation today for gall bladder removal.

I could not help but marvel at:

1. The great support we get from Torah and Hashem, especially needed in times of difficulty BH, but in truth, every day of our lives.
2. The ingenuity of man, in this case Medicine, - how far things have advanced - I came into an environment of a clean, comfortable and well equipped facility, early this morning, had a general anaesthetic with micro-surgery, and was back home this evening, feeling BH, comfortable. How did people cope with all this in the past?

AND SITTING AT MY BEDSIDE THE WHOLE DAY WAS MY FAITHFUL WIFE.

AN BEFORE THE OPERATION WERE THE GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WISHES AND PRAYERS OF FAMILY MEMBERS etc which was a great source of support (before and after) - Thank you!

This morning one aspect of the support of Torah which diverted my mind into a positive direction was saying Tehillim (Psalms)

Interestingly, yesterday's Hayom Yom said as follows 'The Tzemach Tzedek said, that if one only knew how great is the power of Tehillim and their effect in the highest Heavens, one would recite them constantly. Know, that the chapters of Tehillim shatter all barriers, ascend higher and higher with no interference, prostrate themselves in supplication before the Master of all worlds, and they effect and accomplish with kindness and compassion.'

This week has also been the yohrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the wife of the Rebbe, and daughter of the Previous Rebbe.

It is the week when thousands of Lubavitch women gather in New York once a year for a week of inspiration, and banqueting etc

And in relation to all the above, I heard a beautiful thought about the GREATNESS OF WOMEN

'Women usher in the Shabbos with the lighting of their candles, long before men proclaim the holiness of the day with kiddush. This light immediately shines through the entire home, filling it with a holy beauty and grace.

The Zohar teaches that the numeric value of ner (candle) is 250.

This equals the 248 positive mitzvos, plus 2.

2 stands for the love and fear that inspire our deeds.

WOMEN HAVE THIS SPECIAL POWER TO BRING LOVE AND AWE INTO EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO, TRANSFORMING THEIR ACTIONS INTO CANDLES THAT SPREAD LIGHT AND WARMTH. - 'Mashiach Day by Day.'

In Mishlei it explains that while the apparent attribute of women appears to be recipient, her true status will be revealed in the future, which is that of transcendence, higher than the highest attributes of intellect. - ' A valorous women (eshes chayil) is her husband's crown.'

And the role Torah ascribes to women, reflects this greatness in a subtle way.

Gut Shabbos to all.