Nowadays, it is natural to find a Chabad house in every corner of the earth. Giant menorahs during Hanukkah in the heart of Paris, London and New York – a matter of course. Jewish life is vibrant throughout the world – that is clear. But seventy or eighty years ago, this was not at all clear. On the contrary, it seemed completely unrealistic.
This is a tremendous revolution that took place in our generation, and was led by two revolutionaries. The first is the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef-Yitzhak Schneerson), who passed away on the 12th of Shvat 5700 (1950), and the second is his son-in-law and successor, the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Unique Golden Trail
These were difficult days for Judaism. The terrible Holocaust wiped out a third of our people. The fat and sole of faithful Judaism went up in flames. In the Soviet Union, the communist regime worked to cut off millions of Jews from their roots. In the free world, trends of assimilation and assimilation increased. In Israel, a campaign was underway to transform traditional Jews into 'Israelis', in an attempt to create a 'new Jew' whose Judaism was not based on faith and affinity for the heritage of Israel, but on national components.
Observant Jews felt they were an 'endangered species'. Religious Judaism was on a fierce defensive. Its only ambition was to protect its people from the shifting winds. The idea that true Judaism could flourish in Alaska and Melbourne was no less wild than the idea of establishing a human colony on the moon.
And today we are witnessing the great Jewish revolution. This is first and foremost a revolution of thought. The Rebbe taught that there can be no real contradiction between the world and the Torah. He guided Jewish scientists, businessmen, artists, and leaders on how to engage in their professional activities without giving up the thorn of the Jewish jurist in matters of Judaism.
The Rebbe's approach has a unique combination of softness and firmness, openness and setting boundaries, love and determination. It is a golden path that was carefully paved, to enable Jews to come together and use all the means that the modern world places at our disposal, while at the same time not deviating one iota from the precepts of the Torah and the values of Judaism and Hasidism.
With his unique vision, the Rebbe succeeded in bridging gaps that seemed contradictory. He accomplished the unbelievable – Hasidim, God-fearing and with an original Hasidic appearance, come to all corners of the world, are not rejected by the local people, and in a short time even become key figures in the revival of Judaism in the most remote places.
A call to every Jew
The Rebbe's immense spiritual legacy carries within it the true answer to the hearts and questions of the modern Jew. From scholars to seekers of the path; from "your people" to academics.
There is no question he does not discuss, and as usual – with unusual depth and an extremely impressive scope.
Y' Bishavt calls upon every Jew to join the Rebbe's great vision – to connect all the lost souls of the Jewish people to their Father in Heaven; to bring every Jew closer with love and light; to awaken the spark hidden in the heart of every Jew; and to powerfully cultivate the eager anticipation for the imminent coming of our righteous Messiah, who will bring true and complete redemption.
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