Quotes from the Rebbe regarding the obligation of Jewish women to educate and study Torah (5750)

The verse states “Say it and teach” thus placing an obligation from the adults to children.

This is especially for Jewish women to light up their childrens souls.

Besides the fact that practically as the mother is more present she educates more, simultaneously as the Shaloh writes, this fact then becomes a duty.

Furthermore as a mothers educational style is softer and more loving, which as we see in our generation it is specifically this approach that wins hearts – hence her style is most necessary.

2. Now for the same reason that women have a greater obligation on the education of their children, likewise they have an obligation to encourage them to study Torah.

One of the practical mechanisms is when their child comes home from cheder or Talmud Torah or Yeshiva they should enquire as to what the child studied.
Doing so with the particular warmth a mother has ( in contrast to the father whose inquiry is usually like a test) this adds to the childs desire to study.

3. Following this we should mention the obligation women have to study Torah which obviously rubs off on their daughters.

Firstly women are obligated to study the laws that they must know such as the laws of Niddah, mikvah, salting, the prohibition to be in  locked room ( or closed door) with a man (yichud) etc. All Mitzvos Asei that are not time restricted and all prohibitions of the Torah and the Rabbis for which their obligation is equal to men. – this includes the vast majority of Torah laws.

However additionally and most importantly the study of Chassidus.

4. Furthermore even regarding the Jewish laws that women are not obligated to do, it states, a woman  who studies Torah is rewarded.

Regarding the notion of women not studying ( which was the previous tradition) firstly we know that throughout the centuries there have been many women who were very great scholars, for example Beruiriah, the daughters of Rashi, the women in the Alter Rebbes family, and similarly did the Previous Rebbe educate his daughters.

Furthermore and most importantly in the last generations this mechanism was extended to all women.

1. Firstly we see this, that in previous generations the womens education was at home through their  mothers and grandmothers-  however the great Jewish leaders created schools  for in any event in the modern age the girls were being influenced from outside trends.

Furthermore this very reason dictates that their education be done not only with the basics but rather the explanations, seeing that it is this that inspires.

An additional benefit is that with this knowledge  they can assist their sons in their studies – and their husbands – by asking them what they’ve learned etc.

5. We should mention that this is one of the positive changes that has come about.

One of the reasons this has occurred in our generation, though one may question why the lowest should receive the highest,  is because we are about to enter the messianic era.

6. There is added emphasis and Divine assistance on this as we approach Shavous.

Firstly we find that God initially commanded the laws of the Torah to the women, for to a large extent all of Torahs future,  the study of their husbands and children, lies with them.

In addition we know that the Torah’s guarantor was the children.

And all of this should be in the spirit of complete inspiration.

7. And to sum it up regarding the practical lesson:

Regarding the Torah study of women for themselves: to add in Torah study both in the laws that they are obligated to know and any other Torah subject, beginning with what is easier such as Ein Yaakoiv, Aggadois, the stories of the Torah, which are naturally compelling;

Regarding their effect on the education of their sons and daughters – to add to their efforts in the education and inspiration of their children and husband.