Dear Jewish women,
I trust this note finds you well, hopefully at the tail end of the labor-intense weeks of cleaning, prepping, cooking and “turning over” your kitchen for our beloved holiday of Passover. Although I share this thought quite often at Shabbat meals and Torah classes, the time has come for me to put pen to paper in expressing my gratitude to each of you for what you’ve given me, what you’ve given our people.
At the Seder, while reading the Haggadah, we relive G-d’s miracles during the Exodus and splitting of the sea, we remember the leaders and warriors who were His emissaries in the redemptive process and we even eat symbolic food connected to the stages of our journey. Yet, it’s easy to forget the “average Jew”, the Jewish “Joe the plumber”, the men and women who made us worthy of this unbelievable transition from slavery to freedom.
So, today I say thank you, thank you to the Jewish women, who are brave, courageous, tenacious, imbued with feminine perspective and who understood liberty before it was a thing.
Thank you to Yocheved and Miriam, Moses’ mother and sister, who saved his life by hiding him in a basket on the water, defying the barbaric decrees.
Thank you to princess Bityah, the Pharaohs daughter, who disobeyed the “empire” and rescued little Moses, adopting him and raising him in the palace.
Thank you to the Jewish midwives who taught the women how to give birth in silence and helped them through the postpartum process so that their children shouldn't be murdered by the Egyptians.
Thank you to the countless Jewish women who watched their children being used as caulking in the mighty walls of Ramases and continued to bring more children, more life and more brightness into the, then broken, world.
Thank you to the Jewish women who during the harsh slavery set aside hand-crafted musical instruments, because they believed, they knew, redemption was promised and wanted to be ready for the subsequent celebration.
Thank you to the Jewish women who didn't Kvetch about the men singing with Moses, but rather joined Miraim and sang together in a most beautiful female assembly.
Thank you to the Jewish women who remained devoted to Judaism while their husbands chose to create a golden calf.
Thank you to the daughters of Tzlafchad who stood up for their rights and with G-d’s full support received a portion in the land of Israel.
Thank you to Deborah the Prophetess, Yael the Kenite and Yehudis the Maccabee for showing us what women warriors look like.
Thank you to women like Ruth who gave up wealth, prestige and even family just so they can join our treasured nation.
Thank you to Queen Esther for expressing the beauty and dignity of the Jewish woman while interacting with an ultra-secular environment.
Thank you to Bruriah and Yalta who ferociously debated Jewish law with the Rabbis in the Talmudic study halls.
Thank you to the Jewish women during the inquisition, pogroms, holocaust and those living currently on the frontline in our homeland Israel, who have expressed such deep resolve, selflessness and perseverance.
Thank you to Sarah Schenirer for staring the first Jewish girls school in Poland which paved the way for their education till this very day.
Thank you to my mom who was my rock and whose way of thinking, speaking, writing and inspiring still guides me every day.
Thank you to my Bubbe who was a classy woman with a smile of the century, who was so proud of her Jewish heritage.
Thank you to my Israeli Savta, born and bred in Jerusalem, whose passion for Torah Judaism and her love for Israel was second to none.
Thank you to the Jewish women who race home to light their Shabbos candles before sunset and who have broken the ice of Montana's springs to immerse themselves in a Mikvah.
Thank you to the Jewish women who naturally appreciate, or have learned to appreciate, the guidelines of modesty and realize that being attractive isn’t synonymous with being provocative.
Thank you to the countless Jewish women I’ve met, who through thick and thin, through intermarriages and divorces, through urban and rural life, have remained unwavering in their union with G-d and His people.
Thank you to Chavie, who, through the ups and downs that we share, continues to be my anchor, my hope and my tower of strength.
Dear women, I write this, so that you know how appreciated you are. It’s not only about your good looks and splendid clothing, it’s not only about your mouthwatering cooking and tireless mothering, it’s not just about your infinite love and stereotype-breaking successes, it’s about you. The inner you; the you that is so unique, so dignified, so feminine, so so deserving of our respect.
May this Pesach bring you all revealed blessings that allows you to be yourselves as you teach us all how to experience freedom, something ya’ll made a reality.
With respect and admiration,
Brother Chaim
PS May G-d bless our secular society and help them understand that when a man or woman refrains from physical contact with someone from the opposite sex, it’s out of respect, not contempt.
PPS May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!