| "A woman who conceives and gives birth…"
(Vayikra 12:2)
This week's parsha presents in great detail the halachos concerning a woman who gives birth—how many days she is in a state of impurity and how she becomes purified. Volumes upon volumes have been written on this topic. But we must ask: What is childbirth, at its essence?
Rebbe Nachman, in Likutey Moharan II, Lesson 71, teaches us that birth is both a revelation of Hashem's honor in the world and an incredibly powerful vessel for receiving the Supreme Delight—נועם עליון.
It is no coincidence that in recent years we've seen a frightening and steep decline in birth rates around the world. Where is this coming from?
When people become completely absorbed in the pursuit of comfort and personal honor, they lose the strength—and even the desire—to focus on what truly matters: building a family and sustaining the future of the world.
Today, many are chasing a superficial version of "pleasantness," constantly escaping into distractions—most often, the world of media—while nourishing only their own ego and self-centered identity.
And it is here that Rebbe Nachman calls out to us:
If you seek true inner peace and genuine pleasantness, seek Hashem's honor. Bring children into the world, even though it comes with real challenges. Because only through passing the flame from generation to generation can Hashem's honor be fully revealed—"Generation to generation will praise Your deeds."
Yes, there's pain: the hardship of pregnancy, the struggles of raising children. These are known as chevlei leidah, the "birth pangs." But when a person is connected to the true pleasantness that comes from Hashem, then even these difficulties are sweetened and transformed. The pain becomes entirely worthwhile. It pales in comparison to the infinite joy of fulfilling such a lofty mission.
But when a person only chases their own comfort, they fall into a downward spiral of sadness, depression, and all the emotional afflictions that have sadly become rampant in our generation—far more than in previous generations.
May it be Hashem's will that we merit to increase His honor in the world in truth, through building families and raising generations, until we witness the arrival of Mashiach—speedily and in our days.
Amen.
Shabbat Shalom! | 
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