How Bochurim Are Meant to Practice Mivtza Neshek

While encouraging all to be involved in spreading the mitzva of lighting Shabbos candles, yet bochurim, the Rebbe told Reb Zusha Wilmovsky, shouldn’t be directly active in influencing women.

Erev Rosh Hashana 5740 was on a Friday. At the farbrengen on the eve of Erev Rosh Hashana, the Rebbe dedicated a sicha to encouraging involvement in the mivtzoim campaigns. “But since it’s a Friday, the emphasis must be on the mivtza of lighting Shabbos licht.”

At this point, the Rebbe addressed who should be active in this mivtza. “This mivtza is primarily for women to be active in,” the Rebbe said, “since they can lead by example, sharing their own experiences of lighting candles.

“However, men and boys can also be involved. To encourage all those who they can reach, in a tzniusdike manner, in an appropriate manner for every individual.”

In a yechidus with Reb Zusha Wilmovsky, on 6 Cheshvan 5735, the Rebbe was more explicit in how bochurim should partake in the holy work.

“Although bochurim shouldn’t be directly active in this mivtza,” the Rebbe told him, “they should be involved by encouraging their grandmother, their sister or their aunt, to influence other girls to light Shabbos licht.”

From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash