Yours. “The Rebbe” Welcome

ב״ה

THE VISIONARY LEADER WHO SPOKE ONLY ONE LANGUAGE:

RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON YOURS. “THE REBBE” WELCOME

ABOUT YOU.

s a twenty-first century Jew, you are likely familiar with the name Chabad, have probably heard of The Rebbe and may A even know one or more of his 4,000 emissaries. Chabad Jewish centers and services thrive in 48 U.S. States and 81 countries worldwide. Yet—cover image notwithstanding—this magazine is not really about the greatness of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneer- son of righteous memory. This magazine is about the greatness of everyone else. Over 40 years of public leadership, the Rebbe showed unshakeable trust in every person’s ability to make this world a divine place. With unquestioning love and a soft sense of urgency, he provided the tools for millions to find that ability within themselves. Twenty years after the Rebbe’s passing (1994), we share the stories, essays and insights ahead, to offer a small taste of a man and a message are of timeless value.

LEARN MORE ONLINE

THERebbe.org A comprehensive experience of biography, personal encounters and audio/visual recordings on the Rebbe and his ongoing impact. Diane Abrams visits the Rebbe with her chabad.org daughter Becky who was The #1 Judaism site online delivering born to the 49-year-old inspiration, education, study and practice for Abrams after the Rebbe’s every level of interest and familiarity. unexpected blessing. See First Person, page 18

Yossi Melamed, 1988 / JEM Find your local Chabad Center visit Chabad.org/centers 3 CONTENTS FEATURES

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TIMELINE: The bridge to Brooklyn

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IN OTHER WORDS: Teachers and students share what sparked their spirits

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MISSION CRITICAL: How to live grounded like an astronaut

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LAND OF THE FREE: Appreciating America

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HOME OF THE SOUL: Investing in Israel JEWISH PRIDE: 12 NEW ANSWERS TO DOWN THE BLOCK, 1,100 Jewish teens Page from around the world AGE-OLD QUESTIONS ACROSS THE WORLD On parenting, miracles and evil 14 The visionary leader who 22 crowd Times Square 6 in NYC for an annual spoke only one language: concert hosted by YOURS FIRST PERSON: CTeen (Chabad’s Teen WHAT IS A REBBE? Concern for all network), 2014. Described as a profound scholar, a A METHOD TO THE mankind Bentzi Sasson / CTeen.com 8 practical teacher and a visionary guide—what exactly is a rebbe? 24 MITZVAHS Page 26 CREDITS AFTERWORD: The un-orthodox PUBLISHER WRITINGS FROM ART DIRECTION PHOTOS mindset that still drives The Shluchim Office Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Zalman Stock This publication features unique and historic a movement 816 Eastern Parkway Yanki Tauber Moishe Muchnik photos from Jewish Educational Media’s The Brooklyn, NY 11213 Joseph Telushkin Living Archive photo collection. DESIGN Page EXECUTIVE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS Zalman Friedman The Living Archive is a project to preserve the 27 Avraham Green Tzvi Freeman Leibel Krinsky, Yanki Gitlin video, audio, and photographic recordings of MANAGING EDITOR Rochel Holzkenner and the team at Spotlight the Rebbe. Avi Webb Simon Jacobson Design Unless otherwise attributed, all photographs are copyright THE BIGGER PICTURE: JEM and can be purchased at TheLivingArchive.org Suggested reading ADVISORY BOARD Rabbi Gershon Grossbaum RESOURCES COVER PHOTO Rabbi Mordechai Grossbaum With thanks to the researchers, writers and editors of The Rebbe outside “770”, Lubavitch World Rabbi Mendel Feller the world’s premier Jewish website, Chabad.org. Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. Levi Freidin, 1988 / JEM

4 REFLECTION Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

He Cared So Much. But, Why? A question of the Rebbe’s motive

Wherever Jews are, there you will find a direct personal emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. And there you will see him or her reaching out to Jews and rekindling the flame of Jewish life. Chabad went and still goes everywhere. Above all, Chabad went before anyone else, and at a time when it was fraught with immense danger, to the former Soviet Union to reach out to the Jews of silence and keep the spirit of Judaism alive. It was risky—it was almost impossible. And because it was almost impossi- WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO SEARCH ble, Chabad did it. Under the Rebbe, Chabad recognized no boundaries. OUT EVERY JEW IN LOVE AS JEWS And I have often asked myself, why? What drove the HAD ONCE BEEN SEARCHED OUT Lubavitcher Rebbe? Was it, I once thought, that extraor- dinary statement of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of AND HUNTED DOWN IN HATE? the Chasidic movement, who himself spent a lifetime going out to Jews wherever they were—in little villages, little shtetlach; who when asked why he does this, why Jewish children who never tasted sin? he doesn’t do what a rabbi is supposed to do—sit in his Chassidism uses a very powerful, highly charged Rabbi Shalom study and learn, said, “Every single Jew is a letter in the word from Kabbalah, tikkun—which means to mend D. Lipskar helps Torah scroll. And just as a Torah scroll is invalid if one this fractured world. How could you mend a fracture so a Jewish prison inmate put on letter is obliterated or missing, so the Jewish people, deep, such a hole in the heart of humanity? I once spec- tefillin and recite which is a living Torah scroll, is invalid if one Jew is ulated in a newspaper article that maybe, just maybe, the “Shema” missing. I go around restoring Jews to their place in the the Lubavitcher Rebbe had undertaken the most dar- prayer affirming Torah.” Was it that image that drove him? ing spiritual initiative ever undertaken in the history of the Oneness of Was the life work of the Rebbe nothing less than a humanity: would it be possible to search out every Jew G-d. See Knowing Yourself, page 11. recreation in a secular world of the early days of the in love as Jews had once been searched out and hunted Chasidic movement itself, when, as the Rebbe himself down in hate, and was this the only possible tikkun—the put it, that the task of Chasidism was to wake the Jewish only possible mending of a post-Holocaust world. people from its spiritual sleep? Was that it? Was he rec- Who can say? reating what had once happened two centuries before? All we know for sure is that there are few phenome- Or was it something else? Was it perhaps that the na like it in the whole of Jewish history, and it owes its Lubavitcher Rebbe lived through the black hole of Jew- inspiration to one man. ish history—the holocaust. He had seen his whole world, that world of Eastern European Jewry, go up in flames. Rabbi Sacks is a global religious leader, philosopher and And I have often asked myself, what did he feel? What author who served as chief rabbi of the Commonwealth for 22 years. This essay is excerpted from a lecture did he feel about the destruction of one third of our Jew- marking one year to the Rebbe’s passing. ish people, including one and a half million children, Courtesy of chabad.org

5 IN SHORT Adapted by Simon Jacobson

12 New Answers to Age-old Questions

In public addresses, private audiences and thousands of detailed letters, the Rebbe encouraged questioners to value each moment as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the world for the better.

The Lubavitch Women’s Orga- Of the Rebbe’s teachings: students. As of 2014, Chabad 3. What should nization founded by the Rebbe Houses serve students on 210 held its first international confer- 1. Is it okay to college campuses. schools be ence in 1955. be different? teaching? 2. Is having faith The rebellion in young people All educational efforts are 5. Can attitude is not a crime. On the con- naïve? basically meaningless unless trary: it is the fire of the soul built on the solid foundation of define reality? We see that people inherently that refuses to conform, that good character. Adam, the first man, com- believe in something greater is dissatisfied with the status plained to G-d while in the than themselves. Experiencing quo, that cries out that it Garden of Eden; Jewish men that faith requires fuel—infor- 4. Is there a wants to change the world and and women blessed G-d while mation about G-d and about is frustrated with not knowing in Nazi concentration camps; ourselves. Cultivate faith “better” half? how. (1963) all of us exist between these through study and prayer. Ac- After thousands of years of two extremes. Our perspec- The first “Chabad House” tualize it through good deeds male dominance, we now tive determines exactly where. opened in 1967 at UCLA as a and charity. Talk about it with stand at the beginning of the home-base for Jewish college family and friends. feminine era, when women will rise to their appropriate 6. Do miracles prominence, and the en- Simon Jacobson is the author of Toward a Meaningful Life: The tire world will recognize the exist? Wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson (William Morrow, 2004), and is director of the Meaningful Life Center harmony between man and This physical, natural world (mlc.org). He was an editor and publisher of the Rebbe’s talks for 22 years. woman. (1952) is not a separate entity from

6 In conversation with New York Governor Averell Harriman (1956). Until 1981, the Rebbe received visitors in his office three nights a week from 8:00pm until early morning. Anyone—homeless or head of state—was welcome to schedule an appointment. Alexander Archer, 1956 / JEM

this huge planet of billions of people? From today’s technology we see how people across the globe, normally divided by time and space are suddenly unified. One person lighting a candle in his tiny corner can illuminate the entire world…

In 1960, the hour-long “Tanya on the Radio” show went live, one of the first-ever broadcasts of a the higher, spiritual world— must remember to be humble, wisdom and understanding Torah class. rather, it evolved from it. And to develop the trait of humil- also in mundane affairs, which so, when someone connects ity. We are not the source of helps him to decide what to himself to the spiritual world, guidance and information, but do and what not to do in mat- 12. Is it time to G-d, he can affect things in a vehicle for that which comes ters of business and the like. this physical world in a way from a greater, higher place. to retire? that cannot be anticipated. How can we be arrogant in 10. What is the One does not become less Yes, through our good deeds, dispensing this knowledge? valuable with age. It’s true, a miracles can be made. nature of evil? twenty-year-old can dance for More than 350 of the Rebbe’s hours while his grandmother Evil is simply the absence of published talks are from his ad- tires after a few minutes. But 7. Is happiness good; it has no real existence dresses at children’s gatherings. man was not created to dance of its own, and is instantly dis- for hours. Man was created achievable? pelled in the light of goodness. to make life on earth brighter Man can be truly happy if he and holier than it was before nourishes his soul as he does 9. Can a mitzvah 11. Is technology he arrived. his body. improve my ruining us? business? Celebrating his 70th birthday in 8. Is there a secret Everything is created for G-d’s 1972, the Rebbe dispelled any When a Jew strengthens his glory. One might think: what notion of retirement, announc- to parenting? bond with the Source of wis- can I possibly accomplish ing plans to build 71 new Jewish As parents and teachers we dom, which is in G‑d, he gains sitting in this tiny corner on institutions that year.

7 ANALYSIS Tzvi Freeman

What is a REBBE?

His published abbi Moshe Yitzchak Hecht heart-rending plea that “the Rebbe had been the Chabad should help and do all he can.” teachings fill more presence in New Haven, The Rebbe responded: than 100 volumes; Connecticut, since 1946. I’ve already followed your advice. I’ve The demands on him sent there Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak Hecht. Rgrew year by year, with a synagogue, But it appears from your letter and from his letters are in dozens more. After a school, a yeshiva and many other those preceding it that you still are not responsibilities that required a staff familiar with him and with the capabil- his passing, he is still several times that which he could ities with which this person is endowed. turned to constantly afford. Whatever the case, you should get to In 1974, he wrote to the Rebbe com- know him now. Immediately, everything for blessing, insight plaining that in 33 years of work he felt will change—your mood, your trust in and guidance. So what he was back at the same place as when G‑d, everyday happiness, etc., etc. he started and that he simply could not Rabbi Hecht felt helpless. The Reb- exactly is a rebbe? continue. be did not respond with help but with He signed off the letter with a light.

8 TIMELINE WITHIN THAT CONTEXT, YOU DISCOVER WHERE The YOU ARE NEEDED, WHAT YOU Bridge to ARE HERE TO Brooklyn ACCOMPLISH, AND

HOW YOU HAVE THE UKRAINE, 1902: The Rebbe is born POWERS TO FULFILL in the city of Nikolaev to the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Levi THAT MISSION. Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson. He is named for his great-grandfather Rabbi Men- derstand “What is a rebbe?” and “Who is achem Mendel, the third Rebbe of a rebbe?” you must first ask “What am I” Lubavitch, himself a grandson of and “Who am I?” Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chassidism. WHO NEEDS A REBBE? From early childhood, he dis- Imagine a rebbe as a ray of light. Light plays a phenomenally insightful is not a thing for itself. Think of the space mind. By the time he reaches beyond our planet’s atmosphere: between Bar Mitzvah, he is considered the brilliant sun and the glowing earth an illuy, a Torah prodigy. (As a is darkness. The sun passing through a teenager, he exchanges scholarly The Rebbe turns in his space of nothingness offers nothing. For correspondence with the likes of seat to acknowledge guests around the light to be light, it must have something Rabbi Yosef Rosin, “The Genius of room at a farbrengen to enlighten. Rogachev”.) Chassidic gathering For a person entirely submerged in in “770”, Lubavitch getting from today to tomorrow, there World Headquarters in is little to enlighten. But if you seek that Brooklyn, NY. which transcends physical sensation and Levi Freiden, 1987 / JEM satisfaction, if you feel that need to make sense of life, if you have ever asked yourself, “What am I doing here?” and are looking for something deep inside yourself—then you need a rebbe to get you in The Rebbe in Warsaw, Poland, 1928 prior to his wedding. JEM A DIFFERENT QUESTION touch with that inner self. Rebbe means “my master” or “my Poland, 1928: Rabbi Menachem teacher.” Whether you are a small child CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING Mendel marries Rebbetzin Chaya learning alef-bet, or an expert scholar sail- How does a rebbe do that? How could Mushka (1901-1988), daughter of ing the seas of the Talmud, you call your he show you something about you that the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe Rab- teacher, “rebbe.” you yourself could not discover? bi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, There’s another meaning to the title Because as soon as you are connected having been suggested as a suitor rebbe, one especially associated with an to a rebbe, you are connected to a high- years earlier by the fifth Rebbe. 18th century rabbi they called the Baal er, wider context. A context in which you Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov was a are no longer a lonely speck of dust in Germany/France, 1929: While teacher who touched not only your mind the vast, empty space, but a vital part of a attending the University of Berlin, and heart, but could reach into your greater whole. There, within that context, then the ESTL engineering school essential being and guide you to find your- you discover where you are needed, what and Sorbonne in Paris, the Rebbe self there. you are here to accomplish, and how you gives Torah classes and facilitates A rebbe then is a guide to your true have the powers to fulfill that mission. proud Jewish observance despite self. Which means that to properly un- Context is everything. A sentence fall- deepening public hatred of Jews.

9 TIMELINE

A REBBE ESCAPE, 1940: The German armies en out of a book can oneness. Not as indi- conquer Paris. The Rebbe and never make sense of CONNECTS US viduals, but as a whole; Rebbetzin leave on one of the last itself without its sto- a singularity. Not as I, trains out of the city and, after a ry. Out of context, WITH OUR CORE but as we. As a har- perilous passage over the front all meaning is dis- SELVES—AND mony of multifarious lines of the occupation, arrive torted—often into its parts becoming one. in Vichy, France. On June 12, opposite. A precious THEN STEPS OUT Which means that 1941 they board a ship in Lisbon, ring in the snout of a OF THE WAY. to find that oneness, Portugal and arrive safely in New boar, King Solomon that place inside you York 11 days later. the Wise tells us, just in which you are one renders the beast yet with your G-d, you United States, 1941: The previous more beastly. A swan out of context is an must first connect your soul with other Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneer- ugly duckling. souls, which connect with yet more net- sohn, appoints his son-in-law, Life out of context is called exile. works of souls, all forming a single cell Rabbi Menachem Mendel, as Without your context, it’s not just that around a single nucleus. That nucleus, director of the three central your place is missing. Without knowing in turn, is the nodal point at which G-d’s Lubavitch organizations of ed- your place, you cannot find your center, breath enters. It is where all things be- ucation, publishing and social the very core of who you are. come one. services. Also at his father-in- Connecting to a rebbe connects you to In that nucleus, a rebbe stands, and law’s urging, the Rebbe begins the whole. And within that whole is the from there he brings us together as one, publishing his notations to var- liberation from personal exile. to feel one another, to know us, to know ious Chassidic treatises, as well ourselves, and to know our center, our as a wide range of responsa on FINDING THE CENTER core, the place where G-d enters each of Torah subjects. A rebbe is capable of doing that be- our souls. A rebbe connects us with our cause he himself stands at the heart of core selves—and then steps out of the way. that context. All beauty in our universe begins with HEADS AND HEADS a nucleus. For a crystal to form, whether The Hebrew word “Rebbe”, they say, it be a snowflake or a diamond, a tiny nu- stands for Rosh B’nei Yisrael. That means cleus of molecules must first become the “a head of the Jewish People.” basic structure from which a marvelous Most of us think of a head as a control symmetry may extend. The same with center. The head tells the heart, the lungs, The new Rebbe leading a farbrengen life—whether it be a single cell, an entire the stomach, the fingers and toes what to Chassidic gathering. 1952, JEM tree or a human being—all begins with a do. Certainly, I am not interested in hand- brooklyn, 1951: After the pass- tiny seed carrying the information that ing myself over to one who controls me. ing of his father-in-law in 1950, will unfold to form the limbs and organs G-d gave me my life to be me, not to be bereft followers petition Rabbi of a mature organism. controlled by someone else. Menachem Mendel to ascend to And together, we all form a single or- But if you think of your own head, it the leadership of the movement. ganism too. Our bodies may be separate, is certainly not like that. It is the head of His wife tells him, “If you do not but our souls are one. What makes them an organism, a body. Which means that accept, 30 years of my father’s one? They have a single nucleus. After all, before it is a head, it is first a part of this work will have been wasted.” Af- what is a soul? It is G-d breathing inside body. And so, the head is not concerned ter a full year, the Rebbe formally you; it is the Divine Presence invested with consuming all other body parts into accepts the position at a public within your physical body. In Hebrew, the head’s agenda. The head is concerned gathering during which, citing a soul is called neshamah—meaning a with the heart being a healthy heart, the American custom, he shares a breath, as in the story of the creation of stomach being a healthy stomach, the mission statement: “The three the first human being, “And G-d blew fingers doing what fingers are supposed loves—love of G-d, love of Torah into his nostrils the breath of life.” At ev- to do and the toes keeping well within and love of one’s fellow—are one. ery moment, G-d breathes within us, and their own domain as well. The head is One cannot differentiate between through that breath we are one with Him concerned with each body part fulfilling them.... Each one embodies all three and He is one with us. In that breath, we its own agenda. and having one will lead to the are our Creator. So too a rebbe is firstly a servant of his other two.” G-d is one, and so He is found in our people.

10 Pausing for a few words with a man who had participated in a farbrengen Chassidic gathering. Yossi Melamed, 1976 / JEM

KNOWING YOUR NAME him to ask the advice of a good friend. find your name, your true self, and where Jerry Levine was an anchorman for “What I got from that,” Jerry says, “is you belong. Miami’s Channel 10 News, and a good that this is a different sort of leader.” But it is not the knowing that is rele- one. He had won an Emmy for producing Any other leader would have been vant here. It is the caring. This was the programs encouraging Floridians to par- concerned with “What can this person Rebbe’s first concern, because that is the ticipate in regular medical examinations. provide my organization? How can he get job of a rebbe—to help you find your name, But in 1989, Rabbi Shalom Lipskar asked us better media exposure?” your true self, and where you belong. him to work for his organization, Aleph, assisting Jewish prisoners and military NOTHING FOR YOURSELF personnel and their families. Freddy Hager once came to see the Jerry was young and thought, “Hey, G-D GAVE ME Rebbe as a young man. He showed the here’s a great opportunity to try some- Rebbe a picture of his grandfather, who thing new and different. And I can MY LIFE TO BE had been a chassidic rebbe in Galicia. always get back into the news business if ME, NOT TO BE The Rebbe asked him, “Do you know it doesn’t work out.” what it means to be a rebbe?” But Freddy So at Rabbi Lipskar’s suggestion, Jer- CONTROLLED BY didn’t respond. So the Rebbe answered. ry wrote to the Lubavitcher Rebbe to ask SOMEONE ELSE. “The Baal Shem Tov was the first reb- his advice, providing many details about be. He would not go to sleep at night as himself and his personal goals. long as he had anything of value left in his The Rebbe’s response? A fax arrived house. Whatever he had, he gave away to on Rabbi Lipskar’s desk: “Tell me all his The Rebbe’s concern, in Jerry’s words, those who needed it.” names.” was that a Jewish boy didn’t know his own “That’s what it means to be a rebbe,” Jerry thought he had told the Rebbe all name. How did he know that? How did he concluded the Rebbe. “Whatever you his names: Yosef ben Hirsch Leib ha’Levi. recognize something was missing? have, you have for others.” But when he went to talk with his mother Why shouldn’t he? Just as a brain about it, she told him he was actually Yo- knows what the stomach needs, a rebbe Tzvi Freeman, a senior editor at Chabad.org, writes extensive- sef Mordechai ben Hirsch Leib ha’Levi. knows a Jew better than the Jew knows ly on the practical use of mystical knowledge. He is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth—365 Meditations and So he wrote again, this time with his his own self. Everyday Wisdom from the Teachings of the Rebbe. full name. The Rebbe responded, telling That is the job of a rebbe—to help you Courtesy of chabad.org

IN OTHER WORDS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ON THE INSPIRATION TO:

CHASE REMAIN OPEN “After having met a wise man you remain the same as before— THE you have become neither less of a fool nor more of a sage…Not so with a believer. After having met him you are no longer the IMPOSSIBLE same. Though you may not have accepted his faith, you have nevertheless been embraced by it. For the true believer believes “The Rebbe wanted me to write in you as well.” more. He kept on urging me to keep writing—sometimes in strong terms, sometimes in gentle terms, some- —GEULA COHEN times in humorous terms, but always Israeli activist, writer and former pushing me to write more. Every time Knesset Member I saw him, he would ask me, ‘What’s with the next book? I’ve been waiting for so long already…’ Because of his constant prodding, I eventually came to write some 35 books.” CHERISH THE JOURNEY “We are the students who internalize best…the words of the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe: In each journey of our lives we must fully be aware of where we are. We may only be passing through on our way to somewhere seemingly more important. Nevertheless there is purpose in where we are right now.”

—THE LATE RABBI DR. J. IMMANUEL —COLLEGE SENIOR GABRIEL FELDER SCHOCHET 2014 George Washington University professor of Jewish philosophy and mysticism commencement speech

LOVE COMPLETELY “He lived a block away from us and he used to walk past our home on his way from synagogue. My brother and I were ten or twelve years old, playing in front of our house. We were fighting over the ball and he stopped and said: ‘Behave —NEW YORK PEACE ACTIVIST yourselves. Love your brother as you love yourself and love yourself as you love GEOFFREY DAVIS your brother, because you are one…love yourself.’ About twenty years later, that on the inspiration for the non-profit started by his late brother, slain New inspired the name of our organization: ‘Love Yourself, Stop the Violence.’” York City Councilman James E. Davis

12 IN POINT Adapted by yanki tauber Mission Critical: How to live grounded like an astronaut

In December 1968, the first humans orbited the moon aboard the Apollo 8 spacecraft, capturing the world’s imagination. The following Shabbat, the Rebbe called an unexpected gathering to discuss vital insights from the event for our global human mission.

Excerpt of the Rebbe’s talk:

Days before the Apollo mission, a popular Jewish radio host challenged a Chabad rabbi on the air: “Under Torah law, if a person eats a just a little bit of non-kosher food, he is punished with thirty-nine lashes. Now, laws should forbid and penalize actions that are harmful to others and to so- ciety, but should stay out of a person’s private life.” of his family, community and the entire world, because of A student at the The rabbi was flustered at first. How to explain to an personal preference? University of audience raised in free and democratic America, that for This is what is written in the books. The nature of the Arizona stops on the street an act as “harmless” and “personal” as eating a little bit of human being, however, is that things are more readily to perform a food, the Torah instructs that a person be bound, stretched understood and accepted when he or she sees a tangible Mitzvah offered out, and whipped on his bare back thirty-nine times? example of it. By divine providence, we have such an ex- by her local The rabbi responded by providing context for the pun- ample in the space mission concluded yesterday. Three Chabad House. ishment. He explained that numerous conditions had to adult men were told to put aside all personal preferences In the Rebbe’s view, every be met before applying the penalty. Lashes as described and follow a set of guidelines that dictated their every be- single good deed were rarely, if ever, actually carried out. “It might therefore havior, including their most intimate habits. They were holds infinite be said,” concluded the rabbi, “that the Torah’s mandat- told exactly what, how much and when to eat, when and in value— one ed punishment is more an indicator of the severity of the what position to sleep, and what shoes to wear. Should any need not change transgression than a practical penal procedure.” one of them have challenged this “dictatorial” regimen, he completely to cause complete would have been reminded that a billion dollars have been change. RULES IN A DEMOCRACY invested in their endeavor—a billion dollars commands a All this is of course true, but it doesn’t really answer lot of respect! Of course, he has no idea how most of these the question. Even if the penalty of lashes was adminis- instructions relate to the success of his mission— that has tered once in a hundred years, does the deed itself warrant been determined by grey-haired scientists after many years such punishment? And why does the Torah legislate such of research; but he’ll take their word for it, and readily ac- a gross intrusion into a person’s private life? cept the extensive intrusion into his private affairs. The true answer is that ingesting a spiritually toxic bite And what if at stake is not a billion-dollar scientific of food is neither a harmless act nor a personal one: all of project, but the divine purpose in creation? creation is deeply affected by our every thought, word and deed, for the better or, G-d forbid, for the worse. How can a person knowingly jeopardize his own well-being, and that yanki tauber is content editor of Chabad.org. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com

13 DOWN THE BLOCK, ACROSS THE WORLD

FEATURE Rochel Holzkenner

“I don’t believe you. How can you feel my pain? You’re not going through what I’m going through.” Anguish poured off the page, a challenge from the letter’s teenage author to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

For several months now, she’d feels her pain. How could he possi- been writing to the Rebbe, de- bly? She quickly jotted back: “I don’t scribing her inner turmoil, her believe you…” and sent her letter off. rebelliousness, religious confusion, Within two hours of her letter strained home situation. The Reb- there was a response: “When you be’s responses arrived promptly; in will merit to grow up and marry, them her most defiant questions G-d willing you will have a child. were addressed with gentle reason. The nature of things is that to- But this last letter touched a nerve. wards the end of the first year, the As part of his response, the Rebbe child will begin to teethe. Teething had expressed empathy, that he is painful and the child cries. And

14 Yeshiva students escort the Rebbe from a distance as he leaves “770”, Lubavitch World Headquearters. JEM, 1975

15 a mother feels that pain as if it was her own. This is how I feel your pain.”

Six Lubavitcher Rebbes To appreciate the rebbe’s vision, it is worth a quick look into his history. The Hebrew name “Chabad” refers to the Chassidic movement founded in Be- larus by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). While Chassidic philosophy The sixth Rebbe (left) broadly emphasizes serving G-d with in Austria, 1935, with joy, Chabad particularly values an under- his son-in-law and standing of G-d—as much as a human can successor. hope to understand—as the surest path to JEM serving Him with joy. After Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s passing, his son and successor Rabbi DovBer moved to the village of Lubavitch (Rus- sian for “City of Love”) and was hence known as the swiftly became one of global importance. Without the second “Lubavitcher” Rebbe. He was succeeded in aid of a strategic board, the Rebbe personally guided Russia by four additional rebbes, each one expanding Chabad into an international force of proactive and further on the Chabad philosophy. In addition, the reb- positive Jewish revival. Most visible today are the bes worked determinedly to keep Jewish observance 4,000 Chabad emissary families, or shluchim, in 81 thriving amid increasing government harassment. countries who welcome hundreds of thousands of In 1927, the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, Jews with more than 3,500 educational, religious and was arrested, imprisoned and beaten by the Soviets humanitarian centers. for organizing an underground network of Jewish day Yet, with the expansion of his movement’s activities schools, Mikvahs and synagogues. With the help of throughout the world, the Rebbe’s legendary love for influential politicians and businessmen in the United every individual remained focused as ever. States, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak was released from prison and, in 1940, extricated from the destruction raging through Europe. Signed With Tears Arriving in Brooklyn, New York, he was greeted Every day for decades a postal sack full of letters was by admirers who—wanting to shield him from disap- delivered to 770 Eastern Parkway. Intimate questions pointment—warned that promoting meticulous Jewish typically sketched these pages: a writer looking for ad- observance in “the Golden Country” was impossible. vice or for a blessing, for explanation or validation. The Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak boldly responded “America is no Rebbe read every letter personally. different!” and founded the first Lubavitch Yeshiva in An employee in Chabad’s publishing division re- America the next morning. counts: “I saw firsthand the many hours the Rebbe would spend opening, reading and responding to people’s letters, so I ordered an electronic envelope opener. A Reluctant Seventh I figured that it would expedite the process.” The next for the next ten years, the sixth Rebbe established day it was returned by Rabbi Groner, one of the Rebbe’s channels of support for his network of underground secretaries. “I demonstrated it and the Rebbe said it Jewish survival in Russia, and launched several orga- made too much noise,” Rabbi Groner explained. After nizations that flourished in America and Israel. In 1950, some research, a silent electric opener was found and he passed away and his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem submitted to the Rebbe. The following day it was re- Mendel, already director of Chabad’s three main or- turned again. Rabbi Groner said: “The Rebbe smiled ganizations, was urged to become the seventh rebbe. widely at the effort, but said there was another reason Rabbi Menachem Mendel was known to be a for not accepting the gift. ‘Many people seal their letter uniquely gifted scholar with a wide-open heart. Yet, fa- with tears,’ the Rebbe shared. ‘These cannot be opened mously private, he rebuffed the requests for a full year. with a machine.’” When he did eventually accept the position, it Throughout the years of his leadership, the Rebbe

16 cried out to G-d. Shortly thereafter, a ‘MANY PEOPLE SEAL THEIR taxi pulled up and Moshe Kotlarsky and Distributing coins to his friend stepped out. “We were sent by children to be given to charity. LETTER WITH TEARS,’ the Lubavitcher Rebbe,” Kotlarsky said. Fridrich Vishinsky, 1984 Groisman nearly fainted. Once THE REBBE SHARED. ‘THESE composed, he recounted his pressing dilemma and prayers for help. Carrying a bag of CANNOT BE OPENED WITH With the support of the visiting rab- letters requesting blessings to be read bis, a suitable solution was reached and A MACHINE.’ at the gravesite of the family’s situation improved signifi- his father-in-law in cantly. Eli’s father wrote a letter to the Queens, New York. Rebbe, thanking him for his concern for Levi Freidin, 1987 / JEM a “small Jew from Curaçao.” The Rebbe demonstrated total and unconditional love for every responded: “I was pleased to receive your regards...I person, no matter if that person knew of him. Stories must, however take exception to your referring to abound of businesspeople being called by the Rebbe’s yourself as ‘a small Jew’. Every Jew, man or woman, office out of the blue with urgent instructions to visit is an equal part of the Single Essence...” a depressed man in Arizona; bring Shabbat candles to And as the Rebbe cared for those who did not know a woman in Maryland; or—as Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, him, he loved those who did not agree with him. vice-chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch was Natan Yellin-Mur was a writer and publicist who instructed—fly to the Caribbean island of Curaçao, regularly published articles defaming everything mission unstated. Jewish, particularly the Jewish state of Israel and its policies. His colleague, Gershon Ber Jacobson, editor of a New York-based Yiddish newspaper, brought Na- Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime tan to meet the Rebbe. The only Jew in his class, Eli Groisman stubbornly re- As the two men approached the Rebbe, Jacobson in- fused to participate in the religious services that were troduced his guest. The Rebbe turned to Natan, smiled part of the school curriculum. “Non-Jewish students broadly and said “I read all your articles.” Thinking picked daily fights with me,” he wrote years later, “I that the Rebbe was perhaps mistaking him for some- even felt that my teachers and the school’s principal one else, Natan asked: “Does the Rebbe agree with were taking their side.” Groisman began skipping what I write?” The Rebbe replied: “one need not agree school; his family began to be ostracized from the tiny with everything that one reads. What is more import- Curaçao island community. ant is that every person utilize his or her G-d-given Desperate for help, Eli’s father went into the small talents to the fullest. When one does so, one will ulti- synagogue near his home. Though not observant, he mately arrive at truth.”

17 Digging for Diamonds from waiting for so many hours to see you. How do you Beginning in 1951, the Rebbe received visitors in his of- have the strength to stand for seven, eight hours to ac- fice three nights a week from 8:00pm through the early commodate everyone?” The Rebbe beamed and replied, hours of the morning. By the 1980s, the demand had “When you are counting diamonds you don’t get tired.” made it impossible to receive everyone privately, so at A diamond expert appreciates diamonds that come the age of 83, he began a practice of personally greeting in many forms, whether visibly luminous or unrefined. all who arrived each Sunday afternoon. He stood out- In the 1950s, a group of college students from side the door of his office for hours while thousands Canada met with the Rebbe in his office. One student— of people filed by, many seeking a blessing or advice genuinely curious if undiplomatic—leaned in and about a personal matter or spiritual dilemma. The asked: “What is a Rebbe good for?” The campus Hillel Rebbe gave each person a blessing and a dollar bill to director who had organized the trip was visibly embar- promote charity. rassed, but the Rebbe responded, unoffended: “I can’t An older woman once asked the Rebbe. “I am tired speak about myself,” he said, “but I can tell you about

first person

any of the Rebbe’s secretaries about THE REBBE’S our wish. It was tremendously encouraging to me. Six weeks later, on Thanksgiv- CHILDREN ing, I tested myself on one of those by Diane abrams home pregnancy tests and it turned blue—indicating a positive result. I I first met Rabbi Menachem immediately went to the doctor’s of- Schneerson of righteous mem- fice for a “real” test. He called back ory after I had just become to say that the test was positive... engaged to the Bronx borough but there must be some mistake be- president, Robert Abrams. cause it simply could not be that I An acquaintance of Bob’s ar- was pregnant! ranged an appointment for us A year later, in my fiftieth year, I to receive a blessing prior to gave birth to a wonderful girl, Bin- our marriage. yomina, or Becky, named after my I remember arriving at 770 father-in-law, Binyomin, who was a at midnight, but we did not very fine and special man. enter the Rebbe’s room until When Becky was a few months My husband and I introduce newborn Becky 3:00am. The Rebbe was very to the Rebbe. Levi Freidin, 1986 / JEM old, we went for our traditional an- gracious, and that appoint- nual visit to the Rebbe. We had the ment started an ongoing relationship Sukkot festival, we would come to the newborn in our hands. The Rebbe which continued for many years. Rebbe to receive a traditional piece of said, “I see you brought the addition When I was forty-eight years old honey cake and a blessing for a good to your family.” This was a year later, I had only one child, Rachel, and my sweet year. That year we arrived di- and the Rebbe used the exact words. husband and I wanted another child. rectly from a funeral; it was the first I said that we wanted to thank the We went to an expert in the field, and time we had not brought Rachel with Rebbe very much for giving us this she told us that we had less than a us to the Rebbe. beautiful child. five percent chance of having another Out of the blue, the Rebbe looked “No, it wasn’t me,” the Rebbe said. child. While we were visiting doctors at us and gave us his blessing for And he lifted his hand and pointed and doing research, we had not told “an addition to the family within the towards the heavens. anyone, not even our parents. We next year.” I was stunned. How could The Rebbe himself had no chil- were hoping and praying alone that he have known that this is what we dren, yet he gave so many people we would have another child. wanted? We had made no such re- blessings for children. We are all his Every year on the last day of the quest of the Rebbe, nor did we tell children.

18 my own Rebbe.” He was referring as he frequently did to his father-in-law and predecessor. “My Rebbe was the geologist of the soul. You see, there are many treasures in the earth. There is gold, there is silver, and there are diamonds. But if you don’t know where to dig, you’ll only find dirt and rocks and mud. The Rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig for, but the digging you must do yourself.” Gems are a fitting analogy for the Rebbe’s appreciation of people. Far from a personal desire to be admired as a shining light, he believed sincerely in every human being’s ability to shine. FROM THE START, WOMEN WERE

Believer-in-Chief INVOLVED IN ALL OF THE REBBE’S Having graduated Oxford University OUTREACH AND INREACH PROJECTS with distinction, Jonathan Sacks trav- elled from England to America to visit family and tour the country. He was particularly interested in Jewish philosophy and had rabbi, so that your students will come and they will Addressing the arranged to meet and converse with several famous hear you give sermons and they will learn.” Sacks lis- annual Chabad American rabbis during his stay. “Every one of them, tened to the advice and was eventually appointed chief women’s convention. every single rabbinical leader I met in America said, rabbi of the Commonwealth, a title he held for 22 years. Yossi Melamed, 1978 / JEM ‘You must see the Rebbe! You must see the Rebbe,’” he “The world was wrong,” Rabbi Sacks frequently recalls. So he scheduled an appointment. maintains. “They thought that the most important fact Sacks had a choice of career paths ahead of him. He about the Rebbe was that here was a man with thou- hoped to be an academic one day, perhaps a professor sands of followers. They missed the most important or a fellow in Cambridge. He had studied economics fact: That a good leader creates followers, but a great and considered becoming an economist. And he had leader creates leaders. hopes of becoming a barrister. He planned to pose “That’s what the Rebbe did for me and for thousands these options for the Rebbe’s comments and advice. of others.” Of that first encounter, Sacks relates: “I first asked several intellectual and philosophical questions and [the Rebbe] gave intellectual, philosophical answers. The 51 Percent Then he did a role reversal, he started asking me ques- Often—and certainly a lone voice among religious lead- tions. ‘How many Jewish students are in Cambridge? ers in the 1950s—the Rebbe spoke about the gifts of How many get involved in Jewish life? What are you influence unique to women and their foundational doing to bring other people in?’ role in Jewish continuity. He commonly pointed to “Now, I hadn’t come to become a Chabad-Lubavitch the many pivotal events in Jewish history that were emissary. I’d come to ask a few simple questions, and shaped by women. all of a sudden he was challenging me. So I said, ‘In the From the start, women were involved in all of the situation in which I find myself...’–and the Rebbe did Rebbe’s outreach and inreach projects and are today something which I think was quite unusual for him, he the equal co-directors of nearly every Chabad House actually stopped me in mid-sentence. He says, ‘Nobody in the world. With the Rebbe’s encouragement, new finds themselves in a situation; you put yourself in a educational institutions were founded for and run by situation. And if you put yourself in that situation, you women. Hundreds of women became educators in var- can put yourself in another situation.’” ious institutions or Chabad centers. To his career question, the Rebbe told Sacks that Once, Australian Rabbi Chaim Gutnick and his wife Anglo Jewry was short of rabbis. “You must train Rab- were advised by the Rebbe to organize a lecture series bis and you yourself must become a congregational for women on the Jewish perspective on marriage, in-

19 the Rebbe & AMerica

“It is this commitment to the same Divine truth and values, more than anything else, [that] unites all LAND OF Americans in the true sense of E Pluribus Unum.” —In correspondence with President Reagan, 1982

THE FREE “You cannot tell Americans to do anything, but if taught, they can do everything.” “This is a country of kindness”, the Rebbe often —To Pulitzer-winning novelist Herman Wouk said. The freedoms of a democracy must be used by citizens to live proudly and with purpose. The principles of our republic provide for the freedom of religious practice and faith. This basic freedom must be afforded the children, by setting times for a “Moment of Silence” at the start of Since 1978, each US president has proclaimed an annual Education and every school day. —On every child’s right to ac- Sharing Day, established by congress to honor the Rebbe’s impact on knowledge a higher purpose America’s education and values system. The celebration was not given a fixed date on the American calendar. Instead, it is proclaimed on the 11th of Nissan, the Rebbe’s Hebrew birthday.

President Ronald Reagan in his 1982 proclamation: “The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s work stands as a reminder that knowledge is an unworthy goal unless it is accompa- nied by moral and spiritual wisdom and understanding. He has provided Robert Kennedy visits the Rebbe in 1964 as US a vivid example of the eternal validity Attorney General. Warman / JEM of the Seven Noahide Laws, a moral code for all of us.” President Reagan signs the annual proclamation in the Oval Office, 1987 In 1994, the Rebbe was President Barack Obama in his 2013 posthumously awarded President Jimmy Carter in his 1978 proclamation: the Congressional Gold proclamation: “His legacy continues to inspire the Medal of Honor, the “On April 13 of this year the Congress service, charity, and goodwill he first rabbi, second of the United States… set aside a spe- championed in life. As we reflect on member of the clergy cial day devoted to recognizing the the example he [set], let each of us and one of fewer than importance of education in the lives strive to better realize the values we 100 people to ever of our citizens.” share.” receive the distinction.

timacy and the traditions of mikvah. Rabbi Gutnick felt confirmed. Notwithstanding all their labor, only one wom- that Melbourne Jewry was not yet ripe for the concept. an—the same woman—showed up for each of the classes. But the Rebbe insisted that an attempt must at least be From all of Melbourne Jewry, only one woman was inter- made and the Gutnicks agreed to try it out. ested enough in learning about Jewish family life. Upon returning home to Australia, the couple planned The Rebbe’s face grew very serious, as he asked: “Only and advertised a six-week series. Preparations were made one woman? Tell me, Reb Chaim, how many mothers did to welcome a large group of women. For the first class, Moses have?” only one woman showed up. For the next five weeks the same woman was the sole attendee. Each time, the rabbi had to give her the class; he would not send her home after Revealing the Underground she made the effort to come. But he felt like a true failure. For a great portion of his leadership, the largest remaining One year later, visiting New York again, Rabbi Gut- Jewish population in Europe lived under extreme reli- nick dejectedly reported to the Rebbe that his fears were gious oppression in the USSR. The Rebbe was intimately

20 the Rebbe & israel

“Many people ask [why I don’t move to Israel]... Firstly, I have not left 770 from the day I became Rebbe. I go HOME OF from here to the cemetery where my father-in-law, of righteous memory, is interred, and I return here. This is the only traveling I do. THE SOUL “Why don’t I leave? It’s very simple. The battle for the survival of Judaism is still unfolding and there is To the Rebbe, every inch in the Land of Israel is no point for me to leave the front to come to Israel and save myself. When the day comes and all Jewish to be cherished as the divine gift promised in the people will be safe, I will go together with them joy- ously to the Land of Israel.” Torah. Intimate concern for the security of the —As quoted by Moshe Ishon who asked as repre- land and the safety and success of its people are sentative of the Jewish Agency for Israel in New York felt throughout the Rebbe’s talks and writings. “The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps...G-d’s eyes Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on his rest on [the Land] always, from the 1972 meeting as Ambassador to the beginning of the year to the end of United States: “Here he was, a...person who on the the year.” —The Rebbe often quoted these verses one hand lives in the world of the from scripture during times of immense fear such as before the 1967 Six-Day-War and the 1991 Gulf War Torah, but has practical sense and is in tune with the realities of life everywhere in the world. [He] has great sensitivity for the preserving of the Jewish people, the way that Prime Minister Menachem Begin visits the he believed it has to be preserved.” Rebbe in 1977. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on his Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on mul- 1984 meeting as Ambassador to the tiple meetings as IDF general: United Nations: “His penetrating steel-gray eyes and “He told me to remember what I rep- the incredible knowledge he exhibit- resent and who I represent, to stand ed in global affairs left an especially firmly and proudly for Israel and the strong impression on me… The Jewish people. It was a very concise common thread running through explanation of the thing that was the Rebbe’s strategic thinking was most important; more important always his concern for the continui- than diplomacy [or] politics; it was The Rebbe holds a closed-door reception for ty of the Jewish people.” the essence of things.” wounded IDF soldiers. Yossi Melamed, 1976 / JEM

familiar with this religious persecution. In 1939 his father at the tenderness with which the Jews of Silence relate was arrested and exiled by the Communist regime for a to a man who always heard them: “For my son Yaakov fearless stance against the Party’s efforts to eradicate Jew- ben Sosha,” asks a middle-aged man. “I would like to ask ish learning and practice in the Soviet Union. the rebbe to bless all the Jews who are in prison,” says a The Rebbe sent emissaries to the USSR, American man in his twenties. “Rebbe, thank you for fulfilling my Jews posing as tourists. They made contact with the request which I asked you last time,” a boy no older than Lubavitch underground still active from the previous nine years old says into the camera. rebbes. They brought suitcases with Jewish books, Me- In 1989, as the shackles of Communism began to fall zuzot and Tefilin in hidden compartments to distribute to away, the Rebbe dispatched shluchim to bring Judaism communities bereft of their own supplies. They returned above ground. The embers of Jewish pride in the Former with film strips of the Russian Jews asking for the Reb- Soviet Union exploded in flame, led by those individuals be’s blessing. who had held strong in their faith in G-d because one man Watching the preserved recordings, one’s heart melts had held strong in his faith in them.

21 first person CONCERN FOR ALL MANKIND

The Rebbe’s counsel was sought by national and international government officials of all levels. As in Russia, so too throughout the world, it was the After one such a meeting with US Senator Patrick one person—the one with whom he was interacting at Moynihan, the Rebbe asked if he could request a favor any given moment—that deserved the Rebbe’s full atten- from the Senator. tion and his love. Ultimately and inevitably this personal “Here it comes” the Senator thought to himself, “now care is what powered the phenomenal movement of the Rebbe is looking for the payoff.” Jewish revival. The Rebbe continued: “There is a growing community in Chinatown. These people are quiet, reserved, hard-working, and law-abiding—the type of citizens Bringing G-d Home most countries would treasure. From childhood, the Rebbe dreamed of the arrival of But because Americans are so outgoing and the Moshiach—the promised era of complete harmony be- Chinese are, by nature, so reserved, they are often over- tween the physical world and its G-dly Creator. In a 1956 looked. Thus they letter to Israel’s president Yitzchak ben Tzvi, he wrote, miss out benefiting “From the day I went to cheder (elementary school) and from government pro- even before, the picture of the final redemption started grams. I suggest that forming in my mind...a redemption in such a way that as US senator from the suffering and disillusion of the [preceding millenia New York, you con- of ] exile will be understood.” cern yourself with In a Chassidic discourse in 1951, on the night he ac- their needs.” cepted his position, the Rebbe outlined what he saw “I was over- as the job of the generation: “Kabbala explains that U.S. Senator Patrick Moynihan whelmed,” the Senator recieves a dollar from the Rebbe shortly after the world began, the sin of Adam and Eve Chaim B. Halberstam, 1990 / JEM said afterwards. “The caused the Shechina—G-d’s presence—to retreat from Rebbe has a commu- the world. Over the next six generations that presence nity of thousands in New York City and institutions all responded to the rise in human self-absorption by re- over the state that could benefit from government pro- treating further until, by the seventh generation, the grams. I am in a position to help secure funding for them. world felt G-dless altogether. The Rebbe didn’t ask about that. Instead, he was con- “Abraham—the first Jew—began the process of return- cerned with the Chinese in Chinatown. I don't think he ing the Shechina to our physical world. He recognized has ever been there, and I’m certain that most people the spark of the spiritual in physical creations and lov- there don't know who he is, but he cares about them…” ingly pointed it out to everyone he met. People began to understand that they were put here for a purpose and began treating themselves and others with the respect

22 that such knowledge demands. Over the next six gen- with overflowing love. This is what would set the stage Some of the Rebbe’s erations, the Shechina was drawn closer, until Moses, for G-d to redeem the world. 4,000 official faithful shepherd of the seventh generation made it at The Rebbe spoke about this redemption, a global emissaries pose for a group photo home once more in this physical world. shift that would be a deserved result of the cumulative in front of “770” Eventually, the Rebbe continued, a new rise in efforts of every woman, man and child. He referred at the end of their self-absortion, war and destruction set the cycle off to the current era as the final stage of this positive annual international again. With the empowering urgency that came to be transformation and underlined how every person has conference. the power to tip the scales with his or Chaim Perl, 2013 / Kinus.com her unique efforts. For the next forty years, he implanted this dream in the “...DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR consciousness of two generations. On April 11, 1991, eleven months POWER TO TRANSFORM THE before falling ill, he addressed his followers again: “I have done all I can WORLD THROUGH ACTS OF to bring Moshiach,” he said with visible emotion. “Now, do everything in GOODNESS AND KINDNESS.” your power to transform the world through additional acts of goodness and kindness.” Indeed, through his personal inter- actions and by way of his emissaries his hallmark, he addressed his eager new followers, the and followers, the Rebbe launched millions of min- seventh generation of Chabad Chassidim. iature revolutions. But more, he showed how every “Seventh is special because it follows the six; we person can reach inside and achieve those effects too— stand on the shoulders of those who have toiled to one good thought, one good word, one good deed at re-introduce transcendence into the physical world.” a time. Joseph Telushkin, in the biography “Rebbe”, re- “It is not sufficient to mouth slogans. It is up to each counts this inaugural discourse: and every person to bring about the harmonious, per- Throughout the talk, many times the Rebbe wept soft- fect world of Moshiach with actions.” ly; often, many seconds would go by until he composed himself. Then he would resume speaking, returning to Rochel Holzkenner is the co-director of Chabad of Las Olas, Florida. She is his central theme: the obligation of every Chasid, every a freelance writer, frequent contributor to Chabad.org, lecturer and high school Jew, to carry out G-d’s mission on earth and to do so teacher. She holds an MS in Brain Research Education from Nova SE University.

23 ACTION A METHOD TO THE MITZVAHS

10 Deeds to Jumpstart A Relationship with G-D Keep your home, your marriage, your kids, your career—keep your life the way it is, but do it higher. That’s the idea behind what we call mitzvahs. A mitzvah is a connection between your world and a Higher Force. Here are ten "first-step" mitzvahs suggested by the Rebbe for their foundational significance. Pick one or pick more. Together, we’ll pick up the whole big world.

Love Yourself, Love Your Fellow Pass It On 1 Give your kids a Jewish education so they'll Treat others as you would ideally be champion these values into the bright future! treated—we’re all pieces of the same whole, enlivened by a single Source of life. 2

Stay Educated Schedule regular times during day and night to study. Torah Bridge Worlds is the source of life; MEN: Wrap Tefillin each we can learn from it weekday, connecting a limited as long as we live. 4 creation with an infinite Creator. 324 Illustrations by Yanky Gitlin

Raise Your Hand Give some coins to charity daily (except Shabbat and Jewish holidays). When your hand gives, your whole self is raised.

Scroll Up Place Mezuzah scrolls on your doorposts, enveloping your home 6 and everything inside. Build Higher Stock your shelves with books of higher meaning. On a foundation of prayer and Torah, a house becomes a sturdy7 home. Shine Eat Smart 5Outward Keep a kosher diet, WOMEN & GIRLS: Light elevating the food you eat Shabbat candles8 before as it becomes the energy sunset each Friday, you use to do Mitzvahs. sending much-needed light and warmth into the world. 10 Create a Splash Observe the laws of Mikvah and family purity, turning a marriage of two people into an intimate reunion of a single soul. 9 25 AFTERWORD Joseph Telushkin

Jewish girl in the world, to light the Shab- bat candles.” From my years-long research of the Rebbe’s life, it strikes me that the pri- mary and most precious commodity he bequeathed his followers—one he urged earlier, had come to Alaska, fallen in love the whole Jewish world to accept—was an and married a native man. unconditional love and respect for every “I must tell you that living here I don’t Jew, even for those Jews whose lifestyles know if my daughter will ever meet an- and religious practices were very different other rabbi again. I ask you to give my from his own. And this love was accom- daughter a message so that she will always panied by a desire—unprecedented in The un-orthodox be proud of her Jewish identity.” history—to reach and empower every sin- Berkowitz’s mind was racing. He knew gle Jew, in every place in the world. mindset that still he only had these few minutes, but what One year, shortly after Rosh HaSha- drives a movement should he say? Thinking back, he realized nah, George Rohr, a prominent New York that one of the Rebbe’s great strengths philanthropist and benefactor of Chabad, was his ability to personalize a mitzvah, was understandably proud and excited or three summers in the mid-1990s, to empower the individual. He started to to tell the Rebbe of the beginner’s ser- a pair of Chabad students toured speak to the girl about the holiness of the vice he had led at Manhattan’s Kehilath FAlaska, particularly its most remote Sabbath, the day which Jews dedicate Jeshurun: “Rebbe, you will be pleased to parts, to meet Jewish people. to G-d: “And who ushers in Shabbat? It know that we had 180 people for Rosh In one small city in Alaska’s northwest, is mothers and daughters who light the HaShanah services who came to us with the mayor told them that he knew of no Shabbat candles. They bring peace and no background.” The Rebbe did not react, Jews, but invited them to give a talk to light into the world.” so Rohr repeated his words, this time in the students at the local school. The men He then asked her: “Where is the first a louder voice. “We had 180 people for shared some teachings about Judaism. place in the world where the sun sets?” Rosh HaShanah services who came to us Then, knowing that the Rebbe wanted The girl knew geography, and she said, with no background.” To which the Reb- them to find Jews if they could, one of the ‘Probably New Zealand or Australia.’” be raised a timeless and telling challenge: students, Avraham Berkowitz, asked, “Did Avraham told her: “That’s right. Jew- “Tell them that they have a background. any of you ever meet a Jew?” ish mothers in New Zealand and Australia They are the children of Abraham, Isaac One girl raised her hand. are the first to usher in Shabbat. And then and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and “Who ever did you meet?” Avraham Shabbat is ushered in with lit candles in Leah.” asked her. Asia, in Israel, in Europe, and then New “My mother,” the girl answered. “She’s York, Chicago, Seattle, Anchorage. And right there.” She pointed to the school’s even then, there is one part of the world Joseph Telushkin is a prolific lecturer and bestselling author of more fifth grade teacher. where the sun has not yet set. Here in the than 18 books on Jewish philosophy, After the class, the mother was visi- Yupik territory of Alaska. When mothers ethics and literacy. He is the author bly moved and thanked Avraham and his and daughters around the globe have wel- of Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi friend for coming. A native of the lower comed the Shabbat, G-d and the Jewish in Modern History. A version of this essay appeared in the 48, she had always loved nature and years people are still waiting for you, the last New York Jewish Week, 2012.

26 THE BIGGER PICTURE TAKE ACTION