Thousands of Chabad emissaries flocked this week to the courtyard of the emissary, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, for the annual world conference.
A guest who happens to attend the convention will be able to see many professional workshops, dealing with a variety of areas related to the life of the Shlichus. He will be able to hear discussions on questions concerning the existence of the Jewish people in 5778. But alongside these, he will see the thousands of Shlichus immersed in in-depth Hasidic articles, in preparation for prayer.
These articles, which were spoken and written by Chabad rebbes of all generations, from the elder rebbes, Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi, to the last Rebbe, do not discuss standing in city squares to put on tefillin, advertising campaigns to light Hanukkah candles, or distributing boxes of preserved matzah.
There, it is about inner worship of God, about deep contemplation of the greatness of the Creator, about ways to inspire love and awe for God.
How do these things connect to each other?
Same point
The old Rebbe also sent emissaries, but these were missions of a completely different kind. His emissaries traveled through the towns of Israel and repeated profound Hasidic discourses that excited the hearts to serve God. They presented to their listeners the way to ascend to higher levels in spiritual-inner work.
Is there a connecting line between these emissaries and Chabad emissaries at this time, whose main concern is instilling basic Judaism in remote Jews?
Some will say that this is indeed a completely different mission in essence, but "it is time to do unto the Lord, you who have broken your Torah." Since the needs of the hour require caring for Jewish souls who have strayed from their place of origin, there is no escape from setting aside the original mission of Chabad Hasidism and engaging in saving souls.
However, this is a superficial view of things. Only from an external perspective are there two things here that are distinct, and perhaps even far apart. Deep down, this is the same point that runs like a thread between the demand that emerges from the Tanya and the articles of the old Rebbe and between putting on tefillin with a Jew on the street and encouraging a Jewish woman to light Shabbat candles.
At the core of Chabad teachings is one point – cancellation. Man is required to cancel himself before God. There is no me; there are no my desires; there are no my aspirations; there are no my needs. There is only one thing – the will of the Creator. Man is required to put before his eyes one question – what is my role in the world? What does God expect of me?
""Here I am!""
This recognition is the soul of Chabad Hasidism. Thus the old Rebbe said to the Hasid who came to him and presented the problems and difficulties facing him: "You talk about what you need, but why you are needed - you say nothing about that.".
If you will, this is the essence of the concept of mission. The mission does not live for himself and for the fulfillment of his aspirations and desires. He is a mission! He stands up and says, "Here I am!".
I stand in service to God, to serve the people of Israel. If I need to teach a Torah lesson, provide a kosher meal for a Jew, tell a Jewish child about the upcoming holiday, lend a helping hand to a Jew who is in trouble – I am ready and willing. Day and night, on weekdays and on Shabbat. Because this is the essence of a Hasid and this is the business of a messenger.
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