Peace in the Home

Translated and adapted from letters of the Rebbe

The crucial importance of Shalom Bayis [peace and harmony in the relationship between husband and wife] and the fateful consequences of the lack of Shalom Bayis is to be understood from the following statements of our Sages, of blessed memory:
G-d decrees that His (Ineffable) Name be effaced by placing it in water [in the instance of a Sotah] so that peace can be brought about between husband and wife.
When the opposite occurs [i.e., in the case of a divorce, G-d forbid] - the Mizbei'ach, the Altar in the Holy Temple, sheds tears, which is to say, that this act of divorce has significant impact even on that special place [i.e., the Altar] where atonement is granted and prayers are recited for the peace of the entire Jewish people. Divorce is thus not merely a personal matter between two individuals [it has a cosmic effect as well].
Notwithstanding the above, our Sages of blessed memory have stated, "No two people think alike." In other words, despite the above natural differences of opinions between individuals, it is still possible and indeed necessary that there be true peace between each and every Jew.This is surely so with regard to peace between husband and wife, whose conduct, when in accordance with Torah and mitzvos (commandments), is so meritorious that it is described by our Sages of blessed memory as bringing about that the "Divine Presence resides in their midst."

Likutei Sichos, Vol. XXIV, p. 467