Rebbetzin Chavi Welton, and her husband, Rabbi Levi Welton, were recently appointed shluchim (emissaries) for Chabad of Vanderbilt Alumni Association, working with your professionals in Manhattan. They will also be going on shlichus to Dix Hills, Long Island in New York, to help enhance outreach activities of the Chai Center, under the leadership of Rabbi Yakov Saacks. In addition to her spiritual work, Rebbetzin Chavi is also an OB-Gyn doctor!

Rebbetzin Chavi teaches us that childbirth has a very strong connection to Chasidus. She explains that according to Basi L'Gani, a Chassidic discourse written by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Jewish people are recognized as Hashem's bride, just like the woman is the bride to her husband, the chassan. Their purpose in this world is to elevate the mundane to the spiritual.

In terms of having a baby, the woman experiences a physical pregnancy and childbirth. She nurses, changes diapers, bathes, and provides necessary physical care for her infant. Spiritually, the Shechina is the feminine presence of Hashem (G-d.) Making a sacred space in our world for the Shechina to rest is a very feminine task. This is done by the woman as she raises her child to observe Hashem's commandments, and therefore elevates the physical to the spiritual, bringing holiness into the world.
The geula (coming of Moshiach--the Messiah) is often compared to childbirth. As the woman gets closer to actually birthing her child, her contractions get quicker and she experiences the most pain and discomfort. Similarly, as we get closer to Moshiach being revealed, the Jewish people are experiencing various forms of severe suffering (hostages, war, anxiety, emotional disorders, lack of shalom bayis, etc.) May Moshiah come soon so that we can experience true pleasure and peace!

Rebbetzin Chavi teaches us something very interesting about the word Caesar. The word, Caesar, means to cut. Thousands of years ago, Julius Caesar's grandfather was delivered by someone cutting his great grand-mother's stomach open to pull out the baby. This name, Caesar, stuck to future generations of the family.

Caesar was a leader. A leader does what no one else can do. When they need something to happen, they will go to all lengths and extremes, literally breaking down walls (both physical and metaphorical) to make it happen. When a woman delivers a baby via Caesarian Section (C-Section), the doctor literally breaks down a wall (the mother's stomach) to take out the baby. Spiritually, it is said that the women will bring Moshiach by 'breaking down walls' in their dedication to Hashem, keeping the mitzvos of the Torah, and raising children who act justly and morally, bringing Hashem's light into the world.

Rebbetzin Chavi goes on to speak about pregnancy and the post-partum period of childbirth, and shares insights as to how the chasidic perspective can enhance a woman's experiences in these phases of her life.

She also talks about the role that Chasidus plays in her job as a doctor and in her interactions with her patients. What resonated with me the most is the way she lives her life in total alignment with her Chasidic values and beliefs. She is an example of a righteous and wise Chasidic woman, and she conducts herself as such in the hospital with her patients. Leading by example, instead of forcing her beliefs on others, allows people to have the space to absorb her teachings and mannerisms, and to emulate them, if they choose to do so, out of their own accord.

Conact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/