It's the Women - Mishpatim 22 Shevat 5785

Today, 22 Shevat, marks the opening of the International Kinus Hashluchos, the international conference of Chabad emissaries for the women. It is always held on or around this date the Yartzeit of our Rebbetzin, the Rebbe’s wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson. Women from literally all over the world will be coming together to discuss current issues facing the global Jewish community, to share ideas, successes and challenges, and to enjoy each other’s company.

Many of these unsung heroes live in far-flung corners of the world, on islands and in deserts without any local peers, and they dedicate their days and nights to serving the communities and to bringing redemption to the world. They often have large families whom they raise without typical schools and without similarly observant friends. They are raising these children to be Jewish leaders, aware of all the secular world has to offer and recognizing the beauty and deep meaning of a Torah life.

When the Rebbe sent emissaries to all places in the world to reach out to Jews, to connect with them, to see what their material and spiritual needs are and to help provide them, he sent a team, a husband and wife. A few months ago the Rabbis had a convention, with meetings, speakers, seminars and workshops, and a major banquet that was broadcast around the world.  This weekend the women will do the same.

A few years ago, a woman from a secular background went as a guest to the convention. When she came back she told me in amazement: Those are the most powerful women in the world. Instead of looking for artificial ways to feel important, these women carry the torch of Torah, Hashem’s guide to a truly meaningful life, and are bringing light to even the darkest places.

It is notable that this convention happens on or around the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka’s Yartzeit.  The Rebbe credited her with a great deal of his success.  She was a saintly woman in her own right, and it was known among her acquaintances that her blessings were always fulfilled. She chose a life of great modesty and stayed out of the limelight, but behind the scenes she impacted the lives of thousands of people.

These are the people who inspire all of us.  We read the Parsha of Mishpatim this week, teaching us laws that affect every part of our lives, including commerce, property rights, financial obligations, as well as the laws relating to the prohibitions of mixing milk and meat and wool and linen and much more. These laws may appear to some to be draconian to some. Isn’t it old-fashioned to need to adhere to such laws that were written thousands of years ago?  We have new ideas and new ways to succeed and enjoy life today.

But the truth is just the opposite. It is by binding ourselves to Hashem by following His eternal will that endures through the ages that we find real meaning in life.  It is precisely the ancient traditions in the Torah that give us power and help us deal with whatever challenges we face in life. This is one of the messages I take from this convention. The real power of women is the power they receive from the Torah, following it’s teachings, and encouraging Jews from all walks of life to see the treasure that this lifestyle is.

Our Sages taught that it was in the merit of righteous women that our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt, and the future redemption will similarly be in the merit of the women. This day and this convention are, I believe,what they were referring to.