Crown Heights, NY – They’re all over the place. Any place a Jew finds himself in need.
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In need of a geshmake beis medrash, a shul and a mikvah, which no less than the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel, Reb Aharon Teitelbaum, shlita, found in Palm Springs, California, adopted long-time home and outreach post of Rabbi Yonason Denebeim.
(The same beis medrash and shul is where 90-something Herman Wouk, the legendary writer and Orthodox Jew, enjoys weekly mishnayos shiurim.)
In need of the kosher food, tefillin, or siddurim provided by America’s leading Jewish prisoner services organization, the Aleph Institute, founded and led by Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar of Bal Harbor, Florida. (Or in need of a “get out of jail card,” facilitated for one hapless—and now-formerly anti-religious—Israeli freed from Bangkok’s notoriously filthy and corrupt prison system by local outreach careerist Rabbi Nechemya Wilhelm.)
Or in need of a nice kosher sandwich, which Rabbi Eli Borenstein, who grew up in Montreal, distributes free of charge to Jewish business travelers in Bologna, Italy, of all places.
He is the visionary. They are the vision. He is the Lubavitcher Rebbe, zatzal. And they are his shluchim.
This Sunday marks Gimmel Tammuz, the 14th yahrzeit of Reb Menachem M. Schneersohn, zatzal, who was niftar in 1994. Yet 14 years later, his movement has doubled in size.
Hundred of those shluchim, and many of the thousands whose lives they’ve touched, will be paying their respects at the resting place of the Rebbe, Ohel Chabad Lubavitch in the Cambria Heights section of Queens. Commonly known as “the Ohel,” thousands of Jews who were first exposed to Torah-true Judaism by the bearded man in the black hat who had just moved into town will be streaming to the sacred shrine to recite special tefilos.
Joining these not-yet-frum Jews will be a sizable sprinkling of Chasidim, a strong showing of Modern Orthodox and not a few Litvaks. They are also the vision.
Fourteen years ago, a short time after the Rebbe’s petirah, a self-described “misnagid from a long line of misnagdim” described the Rebbe as the “Ohev Yisroel” of this generation.
Considering how many Jews his vision reached—and has explosively continued to reach in the fourteen years since his petirah—a more apt appellation would be nigh impossible to find.
This is today’s Chabad—a Jewish world united under the vision of one visionary leader, however long gone. It’s the vision of Ahavas Yisroel, a vision of a world in which one’s one Yiddishkeit is incomplete unless one gives it to another, a vision in which outreach is not a job but a hashkafah. As Chabad’s Rabbi Shmuel Lew once put it, “In the frum velt, there is the Torah camp and there is everyone else—and the Torah camp is getting bigger. In Lubavitch, we are one people.”
Chabad of Earth, indeed. One planet—and one Jewish People. Come to the Ohel this Sunday and see for yourself.
A giant leader letting himself down to anyone who approached him, below video is quite remarkable.
Question of the Week:
I am fascinated by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneersohn. He has touched so many lives, and even now 14 years after his passing he has the power to inspire. Can you sum up what his philosophy was all about?
Answer:
I once read a correspondence the Rebbe had with a man who was questioning his own life’s purpose. He wrote to the Rebbe saying that for his entire adult life he had been searching for the reason for his existence. He had discussed this with every wise person he had ever come across, read every book on meaning and purpose he could find, and he had travelled to faraway places to seek the guidance and insight of some of the greatest spiritual leaders, but no one had ever been able to tell him what his purpose was. “So now,” he wrote, “I am turning to the Rebbe for his insight. Can you tell me what my purpose in life is?”
I was excited when I read the question. What answer would the Rebbe offer to the ultimate question we all ask? This wisest of sages, with the keenest insight into human nature and the workings of the universe, how would he respond to the most fundamental question of all – why am I here?
I was disappointed by the answer.
The Rebbe responded:
By the time you figure out what your mission is, you will have no time to fulfil it. So just get on with it.
When I read this I was confused. What type of an answer is that?! Here you have a guy asking what his mission is, and the Rebbe responds by saying forget about what your mission is and just do it. Well, how are you supposed to do that? You can’t give someone a job without a job description and tell them to get on with their work!
But in time I have come to appreciate the extraordinarily simple wisdom in the Rebbe’s response, something that reflects his entire approach to life.
We can spend a lifetime philosophising about the meaning of life, pondering our purpose in the universe, and miss out on actually living. I may not know why I am here, I may never know, but one thing I do know: Today I was given another day of life, and along with that I was given many opportunities to do good.
We can’t afford the luxury of self-absorbed soul searching. Not that we shouldn’t think about life. Just we mustn’t be drowned in our own thoughts and never get around to doing anything. Life is too short for that.
My life’s purpose – I’m not sure. But today’s purpose I can know just be opening my eyes. Who around me needs my help? How can I improve the little corner of the world that I live in? How can I edge the world towards goodness today? What can I do, no matter how small, to bring smiles to faces and hope to hearts in need?
This is the depth of the Rebbe’s advice: Do more acts of goodness, and your life’s purpose will unravel before you, one day at a time.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss
I am not Chabad, in fact I despise some of them out there today, the ones that tarnish the real reputation of Chabad, but I have immense respect for the Rebbe. He never refused any jew, no matter what type, how low and how different he was. He accepted a jew because he was a jew. Yehei Zichro boruch.
This video shows what a TRUE leader is.
Oy, there isnt anyone today remotely close….
This article completely sells short the magnitude of Lubavitch greatness and also ignores its deep flaws. This is nothing but a weak puff piece.
Zchuso Yagein Aleinu.
Moshiach Now!
Anonymous 9:04 tarnishes the Rebbe’s mission when he (Anon) “despises some of them out there”. Do you mean my children, Shluchim in the middle of nowhere in Eastern Europe? Have you any idea what Shluchim do & the extent of their Meseiros Nefesh for other Yidden?
I am saddened that there are still so many Anon 9:04 who have this attitude towards Chabadniks, even “some of them.” I may not agree with the ideas and views of some of my fellow Lubavitchers, but I don’t “despise” them. That means “hate” & it is the complete antithesis of what the Rebbe stands for.
It’s ironic when you look at what he says next: He (the Rebbe) never refused any Jew…” Maybe, Anon, you can show your respect for the Rebbe by TRYING to follow the Rebbe’s unconditional Ahavas Yisroel & change your response to those with whom you disagree.
Good Shabbos!
I reiterate my earlier comments. Maybe you should re-read both our posts. Your “whether you like it or not” indicates such aggression. So it’s not enough to just hate, you’re angry also. At whom? Somehow, I suspect your anger is directed at me for making you see where you’re wrong. I rest my case.
I had the Z’chiya (privilege) of attending many Farbrengens at 770 Eastern Parkway with the Lubavitcher Rebbi Z”L! But the (video) clip of the Rebbi’s speech [and action] after the arab terrorist attack in K’far Chabad is most inspiring!!!
I went many a times for dollars and with family what a loss we have lost all our last real gedolim…
The Lubavitcher Rebbe the Klaozenberger Rebbe and the Pnei Menchem of GUr….
And reb Moshe Zal
The world and america willnever be the same till moshiach comes
I AM NOT A LUBAVITCHER CHOSSID – BUT DEFINITELY A CHOSSID OF THE REBBE ZT”L AND ALSO OF HIS SHILUCHIM IN THE ENTIRE WORLD . WHAT “MESRAS NEFESH”! THERE IS NOT A YID IN THE WHOLE OF KLAL YISROEL THAT WAS NOT TOUCHED IN MANY WAYS BY HIS VISION AND ACTIONS. MOST FASCINATING IS THAT IT IS ALREADY HIS 14TH YAHRTZEIT, AND HIS “WORK” CONTINUES ON AS IF HE WAS STILL HERE DIRECTING IT!
YEHI ZICHRO BORUCH
i think evrey person owes a huge thanx to the rebbes shluchim and not just the rebbe beacause whenever you in some far away place you always no that you will have a nice loving shliach around the corner
The Lubavitcher Rebbe ZT”L is the one who set the agenda for the whole kiruv movement today. Whether the other organizations want to admit it or not, The Rebbe was the Nachshon Ben Aminadav of many items on the agenda of orthodox jewry today.
Very nice article. Kudos to VIN.
I think what is remarkable about this video is the fact the The Rebbe was known for his Ahavas Yisroel and his Kiruve and that is usually what we saw from him. But when it comes to a matter of Yidishkeit and Emunah there is nothing what to talk about, you must be strong and firm, say it as it is, without budging an inch!
To VIN: Yasher Koach!!!!!
We all miss the Lubavitcher Rebbe. All we can do is emulate his ways.
I am totally impressed with the editorial and oh so agree – boy oh boy has Rebbe put one heck of a network into place – by golly you’d think they’d all jump ship after he passed away, seems like he’s still here wow, but nope, they just got bigger better and stronger in Texas alone Chabad doubled in past 10 years.
Two years ago we had to be in Puerto Rico – there are no words for Rabbi Zarchi and his wife – none!
To all those Snags out there, it is very easy to sit in your house in Lakwewood or some other bitg Jewish commuinity comdeeming a Yigerman who sits with is Family somwhere in the Middel of China or Centarla america while you are enjoyiung all the Kosher stuff
your doorstpes.
I love the Rebbe. He was a great man
well written! Living here in Sydney AUstralia, we feel the Rebbe’s influence today as much as then. THe Rebb’s work lives on through his Shluchim. HE did not jsut make followers, he made leaders! That is why we are all still here trying to fulfillthe Rebbe’s holy work, even whenit is vey tought to be far far away from our home in Brooklyn. but the Truth is, the Rebbe said everyone is a Shliach – even you! Go and do a Mitzvah for another yid and you will be doing your Shlichus to brin Moshich closer- we need him more than ever!
The Rebbe was a great man
VIN,
The munkatzer rebbe also used to vacation there.. herman wouk writes of his famous fight with “the munkatzer” Rabbi denbeim (who’s son is a good friend of mine) was away for shabbos, and herman wouk gave a drasha and mentioned medinat yisrael, the munktzer stormed out… a while later he apologized to herman wouk.
the Rebbe is the best
“It’s sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew.” For some, the rebbe remains someone they know. They are indeed blessed. For others – he is someone they knew. Nevertheless, let the the latter treasure the warm memories of the gift they had, while some of us hold tightly to the treasure in hand..
It has been 14 long years…tears begin to form but I wipe them away…the rebbe wanted joy. Simcha poretz geder. Joy lifts the soul and makes the spirit soar, while no soul can bear the crushing weight of sadness as the spirit drowns in tears.
Tears are the words the heart can’t express. Tears were created to wash the eyes, so we can see life with a clearer view. They are like summer showers that refresh the soul.
A Jew must be b’simcha at all times. Chassidim in particular were never m’hader in Inyonei Avelus (Items of Mourning). True, Shlomo Hamelech said “Ais livkos” (-there is a time to cry), but that time can be satisfied with a mere moment.
Although I wipe the tears from my eyes, I leave their stains on my heart. What shall I do? Let’s all say l’chaim and have a little tantz and really believe that very soom Mashiach will come and end this bitter golus (exile).
Maybe then I will become a chassid. Could be even a Lubavitcher. Will it matter? L’chaim!